Orissa Festivals

Puri Beach Festival

The Puri Beach Festival is an out and out fun lovers fest. Conducted by the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Orissa (HRAO), the festival is a celebration of Orissa, in all its beauty, charm and fun-loving spirit. With events ranging from Fashion shows to rock shows, the Puri Beach festival.

Konark Dance Festival in Orissa

Using Konark Temple (world heritage site) as the backdrop to the classical dance festival attended by leading performers in all the classical dance forms, Konark Dance Festival is as popular as the Khajuraho Dance Festival in Madhya Pradesh, India and is held in the month of December. The open-air auditorium flanked by palm groves acts as a platform to showcase the varied cultural heritage of India, inspiring a deep nostalgic feeling from the audience.

Rath Yatra

The most famous Orissan festival is of course the Ratha Yatra or Car Festival (June-July) which attracts pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. On the full moon day of the month of Jyestha known as snana Purnima, the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra slid Subhadra are brought out and bathed on a pendal known as the snarlamandap according to religious rites.

Dola Purnima ( Holi )

Dolapwnima or Holi is the most famous spring festival of India. Usually celebrated in March. It has special properties in its celebration in Orissa where it is a five day affair, especially in the rural areas. The images of Krishna are worshipped form Dashami (10th day of the bright fortnight) to the full moon day.