Maha Shiva Ratri: It is the day of Lord Shiva's appearance in the universe. To celebrate the occasion devotees of Lord Shiva perform puja in temples during the day. There is a custom of remaining awake throughout the night by chanting or listening to the hymns in praise of Lord Shiva.

Phagu Dasami: This is the celebration of romantic union between Radha and Krishna. Beginning this day images of both Radha and Krishna are placed on a swing and are worshipped by smearing them with abir (coloured powder). This ritual continues till Dola Purnima.

Dola Purnima: This is the concluding day of six-day long worship of Radha and Krishna, which starts on Phagu Dasami. It is celebrated on the full moon day in the Odia month of Phaalguna. The colour festival of Holi is celebrated usually on the day following Dola Purnima.

Rama Navami: As in the rest of India, Rama Navami is also celebrated throughout Odisha as the birth day of Lord Rama. It is also the celebration of his wedding with goddess Sita. Pujas are offered by visiting the temples of Lord Rama.

Chaitra Purnima: A month-long puja of goddess Mangala begins this day (usually on  all Tuesdays of the month). Fishermen worship their fishing net, boat and the waters seeking blessings of the almighty for prosperity.

Maha Vishuba Sankranti: It is also known as Mesha Sankranti. It is on this day that Sun enters the sign Libra. The Odia community celebrates New year on the occasion. A sweet concoction known as pana is prepared and distributed among one and all. (Pana is prepared by mixing different types of fruits, water, milk, pulp of bela, curd and sugar). Poetry reading sesions and literary functions are also organised this day.

Savitri Brata: It is observed by all married women for the well-being of their husbands. Women performing the puja have to observe fast (eating only fruits and soaked raw mung dal during the day, after performing puja). During the puja they read out or listen to Savirti Brata Katha  which is a  poetic rendition of how Maha Sati Savitri saved her husband from the clutches of Yamaraj by dint of her virtues and devotion. (You may download the Savitri Brata Katha in Oriya or English by clicking on the links available at the bottom of this page.) It is a custom for women to  receive money on the occasion from their parents / brothers towards expenses for the puja. 

Raja: During this three-day period of Raja, women get their right to rest and enjoyment. They are not supposed to work during these days. It is believed that Mother Earth undergoes her period of menstruation during these three days. Swings are tied under branches of large trees so that women and girls could enjoy swinging while the husbands and other male-members in  the family take care of cooking. It is a custom to relish Poda Pitha (see Oriya Foods  page for recipe) during the festival. Women are strictly forbidden to perform puja of any kind either at home or in the temples during this period.

Rath Yatra: Lord Jagannath along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra  comes out of the precincts of his temple in Puri for a visit to his aunt’s place at Gundicha Mandir which is about five kms away. The three deities undertake their journey in three huge chariots pulled by thousands of devotees. It is said that it is an occasion for Lord Jagannath to give an opportunity of his darshan to the people whose entry is forbidden into his temple. (Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple). Though this festival had its beginning in Puri, now-a-days it is also being observed through out the world, where ever there are temples of Lord Jagannath.

Bahuda Yatra: It is the day of return journey of Lord Jagannath from the Gundicha Mandir. It is celebrated with the same pomp and gaiety as that of Ratha Yatra.

Chitalagi Amabasya: Also known as Chitau Amabasya. Lord Jagannath is embellished with a golden mark on the forehead called Chitta this day. In homes a special pitha known as Chitau Pitha is prepared and offered to Lord Jagannath in Puja (See recipe on our 'Oriya Foods' page.)

Gamha Purnima (Rakhi):  The practice of tying rakhis on the wrists of brothers this day is only a recent phenomenon  in the Odia community  as imitated from the north Indian communities. Originally in Orissa this day marks the worship of Lord Balabhadra. Bullocks and cows are also worshipped by smearing sindur marks on their head. The youngsters gather in the streets and demonstrate a traditional high jumping skill called  Gamha Dian.

Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganesh Chaturhi is observed by the Oriya community for invoking the blessings of Lord Ganesha as is the custom among  other communities in India. Students observe fasting in the day till they make a floral offering (pushpanjali) before the image of Lord Ganesha seeking his blessings for acquiring wisdom.

Nuakhai: It is celebrated as a way of thanks giving to Mother Earth. Celebrated especially in western orissa on a predetermined day in the Oriya month of Bhadrab it features partaking of the first grains of paddy after harvesting the kharif crop. All in the family and community  join together to partake of the holy offering in leaf cups sitting on the ground facing towards east. 

Apara Paksha: It marks the beginning of a period of 15 days to perform shraddha for paying tributes to one’s  departed ancestors. It is performed wishing peaceful stay of the departed ones in heaven. 

Dasahara: As in other states in India, Dasahara  also marks the end of four-day long Durga puja celebrations in Orissa. On this day the valedictory puja of Devi Durga is done, and the earthen image the goddess is immersed in river. In Orissa this day at around mid-day all types vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks, bicycles and bullock-carts are worshipped by invoking the presence of Devi Durga into them. In the evening, women perform a special puja called Somanath Brata. It is a form of worshipping lord Shiva. A treatise narrating the tale is Soma Nath is read out. (Somanath Brata Katha in Oriya may be downloaded by clicking on the link available at the bottom of this page). The offerings before the god include Manda Pitha ( a delicacy made of wheat flour with stuffing of scrubbed coconut, sugar and spices), ten types of fruits and ten types of flowers. After completion of the Puja in the evening women break their day-long fast. 

Kumara Purnima: It is particularly a festival of kumaris . However it has now evolved into being a festival of kumars as well. The young ones enjoy this festival wearing new dresses. In the evening they worship the full moon in the sky. In the southern parts of Orissa the young and old alike celebrate this festival. Playing of some indoor game on this day is considered mandatory. It is said that one who does not play this day would be born as a toad in the next birth.  

Dipavali: Also known in the northern states of India as Diwali, this festival is mainly celebrated as a remembrance of pitru Purusha, or ancestors. Lighted sticks or diyas are shown towards the sky in the evening seeking the blessings of ancesters and praying for their well-being. Bursting of fire-crackers and decorating houses with candles and diyas this day is not  a custom original to Orissa. How ever this ritual has now been widely adapted from the north Indian states. 

Panchuka: It is a practice among pious Oriyas to give up non-vegetarian food such as fish, meat and egg during the entire month of Kartik. How ever those who are not in a position to abstain from non-vegetarian foods during the entire month, have the option to give it up for five days beginning from Panchuka. There is a popular proverb in Oriya which says that even the fish-hunting bird of crane does not touch fish during these five days. 

Kartik Purnima: It is an occasion to commemorate the glorious prosperity of Orissa in the olden days when  the sadhabas (maritime traders) practised maritime trade in far off countries. They were traditionally sailing off into the sea every year on the day of Kartik Purnima while their spouses used to see them off by conducting aarti. As a token remembrance of the past glory, this day Oriya women sail off small toy-like boats in the rivers and perform puja early in the morning. 

Prathamastami: It is an occasion to perform puja for the well-being of the first child in the family. A delicacy called Haladi Patra Enduri Pitha (idlis filled with sweet stuffing and wrapped in green leaves of turmeric plant before being steamed)  is the specialty of the day.

Manabasa Gurubar:  On every Thursday in the Oriya month of  Margasir goddess Lakshmi is worshiped with utmost devotion by  Oriya women. They wake up very early in the morning and clean the house with broom-sticks, for it is believed that goddess Lakshmi would never visit the house if the house remains dirty and untidy. The entrance as well as the door step of the house is decorated with artistic Orissan alpana (called chita or jhoti). A pot made of bamboo canes used in the olden days for measuring paddy (known as mana) is filled upto the brink with freshly harvested paddy. It is believed that goddess Lakshmi visits every house-hold during the puja. It is a custom to recite the Lakshmi Purana, written by ancient poet Balaram Das, while performing the puja. (You may download the Lakshmi Purana in Oriya and also an English translation of it by clicking on the links available at the bottom of this page.)

Dhanu Sankranti:   This festival is celebrated by preparing a special delicacy made of sweetened riceflakes called Dhanu Muan which is offered to Lord Jagannath in puja. A grand street play is held on this day in the Bargarh town of Orissa enacting the various episodes of Lord Krishna's life. The entire township stretching over five kilometers serves as an open-air theatre and a large number of people participate in it with pomp and splendour.