12 Month 13 Festivals in Odisha (ओडिशा में 12 महीने 13 त्योहार)

Odisha is a land full of festivals, There is a saying that, BAARA MASARE TERA PARBA ( 13 festivals in 12 months)Odisha is one of the most beautiful states in India. Odia is the official language of Odisha. The famous ruler Asoka and the war of Kalinga all are connected with the state of Odisha. The state celebrates some of the most interesting festivals like durga puja, Raja, makar sankranti, kumar purnima, Dola yatra, Gaja Laxmi puja, Gamha purnima etc. Below are the lists of festivals which are celebrated by the people of odisha:

Durga Puja:
Occurs in the month of Asvin(October/September). It is a 10-day-long festival. During the period, Devi Durga is worshipped in Shakti Pithas or temporary shrines called pandals. Navaratri refers to the first nine days of the festival. The nine arms of Durga, Navadurga are worshipped during these nine days. Navratri begins on the Prathama (first bright day) Paksha (lunar fortnight) of the Ashwin month. It also marks the end of the rainy season according to the traditional calendar. The Asura, Mahisasura, was killed by Durga on the tenth day according to Hindu mythology. The final five days are considered especially important.

Kumar Purnima:
Occurs on the first full moon day of Ashwin month. It is primarily celebrated by unmarried girls who pray for a handsome husband. According to the belief, the handsome bhagwan Kartikeya also known as Kumar was born on this day.

Deepavali/Kalipuja
Deepavali celebrated on Kartik Amavasya The families remember their forefathers by burning jute stalks.

Kali Puja worshippers honour the mata Kali in their homes in the form of clay sculpture and in pandals (temporary shrines or open pavilions). She is worshipped at night with Trites and Mantras.

Prathamastami:
Households pray for the long life of the first borns. Enduri Pitha is a special delicacy which is prepared for this occasion. It has the cultural significance that first born were usually expected to takeover as the family head. It falls on the eighth day of Margasira month.

Vasant Panchami/Saraswati Puja:
Occurs on the fifth day of the first lunar fortnight of Magha month (Magh Shukla Panchami), which usually falls in January or February. It is also observed as Saraswati Puja . Saraswati is the Devi of knowledge and wisdom in Hinduism. Traditionally, children get their letters on this day. Many educational institutions also observe the festival. It also marks the arrival of spring

Maha Shivratri:
Celebrated on the 13th night or 14th day on the waning lunar fortnight in the Phalgun month. It usually falls in February or March. It is considered the night on which shiv perform the Tandava dance. It is observed by fasting by adherents, especially. Married women pray for the well-being of their spouses. Unmarried women may pray for an ideal husband. Shiva temples are visited on this day and night. Bael fruit and leaves are offered to the bhagwan, who is worshiped in the form of a lingam Worshipers may hold an all-night jagaran and break their fast the next morning.

Dola Purnima and Holi:
It also known as Dola yatra, a five day long Dola Purnima festival celebrated with pomp and fervor across the state. Followed by Dola Purnima comes Holi. On this day, the Oriya calendar becomes ready and is offered to the deity jagannath who is also known as Dolgovind.

Ratha Yatra:
It is an annual Hindu festival which originated in Puru in Odisha. The festival is celebrated all over Odisha on the 2nd day of dark fortnight the lunar month of Asadha(Asadha Sukla Dutiya) usually in June/July. The festival involves transporting of the idols of the deities Jagannath , Balabhadra and Subhadra on giant chariot from the Puri temple to the Gundicha temple. The chariots are pulled by devotees with ropes. After nine days, the idols are returned.

Ganesh Chaturthi:
celebrated as the birthday of bhagwan Ganesh, usually in August. It is primarily observed by educational institutes and students. The bhagwan is offered prasad like modak and laddu in pandals.

Raja Parba
is a three-day festival celebrated in the coastal districts in Asadh month starting with the first day of the month. It usually falls mid-June. This festival is dedicated to Basu mata, the Earth Devi. During this period, no agricultural activities occur to allow the devi to rest. The first day is called pahila raja, the second day is proper raja and third day is called basi raja. Girls play on various types of swings. People exchange pithas among relatives and friends. Raja is also called Mithuna Sankranti. In places it is celebrated for four days and is known as Basumata Puja.

Karthik Purnima/Bali yatra:
Celebrated to mark the voyages made by ancient sea traders from Odisha to Bali. It falls on the day of Kartik On this day, miniatures of the boats called boitas are released in ponds, rivers and the sea.Festival is celebrated for a week.A major annual trade fair is also held in Cuttack.

Gajalaxmi Puja:
It is a 11-day festival dedicated to mata laxmi, which begins on Kumar Purnima.

Nuakhai:
Particularly celebrated in the Sambalpuri cultural region. It is celebrated to welcome the new paddy harvest. It falls on the day after Ganesh chaturthi. In various regions, priests calculate the Tithi and offer the new grains to the local devi at a precise auspicious moment. People on this occasion greet each other with the words Nuakhai Juhar. At evening, folk dance and song events may be organized which are called "Nuakhai Bhetghat"

Sitalsasthi:
Celebrated to observe the marriage of Bhagwan Shiva and Parvati One of the devotees acts as the parent of Shiv and another devotee acts as the parent of Parvati. The devotee acting as the father of the bhagwan travels to the Devi's house with a bundle of sal tree leaves to make a proposal.

Source: Wikipedia