Odisha, a state rich in cultural heritage and traditions, celebrates a multitude of vibrant fairs and festivals throughout the year. These celebrations are intricately woven into the fabric of Odia society, reflecting the religious, agricultural, and historical significance of each month. Here is a glimpse into the fairs and festivals of Odisha according to the Odia months:
| Month | Festivals |
|---|---|
| Baisakh | Mahabishuva Sankranti, Akhaya Tritiya, Chandan Yatra, Nrusingha Janma |
| Jyestha | Sabitri Brata, Sitala Sasthi, Raja Parba |
| Asadha | Srigundicha, Bahuda Jatra |
| Shravana | Chitalagi Amabasya, Sravana Purnima |
| Bhadrab | Khudurukuni Osha, Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Radhastami |
| Aswina | Mahalaya, Durga Puja, Kumar Purnima |
| Kartik | Dipavali, Kali Puja, Bada Osha, Rahas Purnima |
| Margasira | Prathamastami, Manabasa |
| Poush | Bakula Amavasya, Samba Dasami, Bata Osha |
| Magha | Makar Sankranti, Saraswati Puja, Agni Utsav |
| Phalguna | Shiva Ratri, Dola Parba |
| Chaitra | Sriram Navami, Nuakhai, Chaitra Parba |
Check Out More Odisha GK.
Fairs and Festivals of Odisha
Baisakh
- Mahabishuva Sankranti (Oriya New Year’s Day)
- Akhaya Tritiya (Initiation of cultivation; an agricultural festival)
- Chandan Yatra (Jagannath culture festival observed from Akhaya Tritiya to Snan Purnima)
- Nrusingha Janma (Birthday of Narasingh, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu)
Jyestha
- Sabitri Brata (Observed by Hindu women for the long life of their husbands)
- Sitala Sasthi (Predominantly observed in Sambalpur District)
- Raja Parba (The national festival of Orissa)
Asadha
- Srigundicha (Car festival of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Suvadra; the biggest religious and cultural festival in the state)
- Bahuda Jatra (Return journey of the Lords from Srigundicha Temple)
Shravana
- Chitalagi Amabasya
- Sravana Purnima (Rakhi Purnima; also observed as the birthday of Lord Balabhadra)
Bhadrab
- Khudurukuni Osha (Spinsters observe this festival every Sunday of Bhadrab, concluding on the last Sunday of the month)
- Janmashtami (Birthday of Lord Srikrishna)
- Ganesh Chaturthi (Worship of the God of Knowledge, Sri Ganesh, widely observed in schools and colleges)
- Radhastami (Birthday of Goddess Sri Radha)
Aswina
- Mahalaya (Sradh is offered to forefathers on this occasion)
- Durga Puja (Worship of Goddess Durga from Mahasaptami to Dashami)
- Kumar Purnima (Spinsters and newly married women worship the Moon-God)
Kartik
- Dipavali (Night of light and crackers)
- Kali Puja (Worship of Goddess Kali)
- Bada Osha (Observance to worship Lord Shiva)
- Rahas Purnima (Associated with Lord Srikrishna and commemorates the navigation glory of Oriya merchants)
Margasira
- Prathamastami (The eldest child wears new dress and observes the festival)
- Manabasa (On the first Thursday of Margasira, Goddess Laxmi is worshipped by women members of the family)
Poush
- Bakula Amavasya (Offering of rice cake, “Gaintha Pitha,” near a mango tree)
- Samba Dasami (Worship of Sun God)
- Bata Osha (Worship of the God of Death, “the Yama,” observed in the mid-road)
Magha
- Makar Sankranti (Mostly observed in rural and tribal areas as a festive occasion)
- Saraswati Puja (Worship of Devi Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge and Wisdom, on Sri Panchami)
- Agni Utsav (Worship of the God of Fire)
Phalguna
- Shiva Ratri (Observed with great sanctity, with pious people spending the night worshipping and meditating on Lord Shiva)
- Dola Parba (Known as Holi, the festival of colors, associated with the divine love of Radha and Krishna)
Chaitra
- Sriram Navami (Observed as the birthday of Lord Ramachandra)
- Nuakhai (Mostly observed in tribal areas and Western Orissa, testing food prepared from newly harvested crops)
- Chaitra Parba (Relates to Lord Ramachandra, observed by the fisherman community of Orissa)