This article lists the traditional festivals and other cultural events in the Odisha region of India. Odisha celebrates 13 festivals in 12 months as the saying goes Bāra Māsare Tera Parba ().
Major festivals
This section lists festivals which are celebrated throughout Odisha.
Autumn
Durga Puja
Durga Puja (ଦୁର୍ଗା ପୂଜା) occurs in the month of Ashvin (October and September). It is a 10-day-long festival. During the period, goddess Durga is worshipped in Shakti peethas or temporary shrines called pandals. Navratri refers to the first nine days of the festival. The nine forms of Durga, Navadurga, are worshipped during these nine days. Navratri begins on the Prathama (first bright day) Paksha (lunar fortnight) of the Ashvin month. It also marks the end of the rainy season according to the traditional calendar. The asura, Mahishasura, was killed by Durga on the tenth day according to Hindu mythology. The final five days are considered especially important.
The Durga Puja of Cuttack is notable for its usage of silver and gold tarakasi (filigree) work on the crown of the idols and also on the pandals. The city Cuttack attracts many tourists during this period of the year. Special trains are run during this time to cater to the rise in tourist traffic. After the worship in Cuttack, on the tenth day of Vijayadashami, the idols are taken out in extravagant processions and are immersed in the Kathajodi river.
Kali Puja
Kali Puja occurs in the month of Ashvin (October). It is celebrated after Durga Puja ends. It is to commemorate the legendary tale of Goddess Kali dancing in anger and stepping over Lord Shiva & to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. It is considered a big festival in the northern districts of Odisha, such as Kendujhar. In particularly kendujhar district a week long mela goes on during Kali Puja. After the week is over the idol of Goddess Kali is taken on a grand procession and then submerged in a holy river or any water body nearby.
Kumar Purnima
Kumar Purnima (କୁମାର ପୂର୍ଣିମା) occurs on the first full moon day of the month of Ashvin. It is primarily celebrated by unmarried girls who pray for a handsome husband. According to the belief, the handsome god Kartikeya also known as Kumar was born on this day. Girls also play traditional games like puchi on this day and wear new clothes.
Deepabali
Deepabali (ଦୀପାବଳି) is celebrated on Kartik Amavasya.
The families remember their forefathers by burning jute stalks and call upon them for blessing with the Badabadua verse:
Bada badua ho, andhara re aasa, alua re jaa. Mahaprasad khai Baaisi pahaacha re gada gadu thaa.
ବଡ଼ ବଡୁଆ ହୋ, ଅନ୍ଧାରରେ ଆସ, ଆଲୁଅରେ ଯାଅ, ମହାପ୍ରସାଦ ଖାଇ ବାଇଶି ପାହାଚ ରେ ଗଡ଼ା ଗଡୁଥାଅ।
O forefathers, come to us in this dark evening, we light your way to heaven. Having Mahaprasad, May you attain salvation on the 22 steps of the Jagannath temple of Puri.
In some parts of the state, Kali Puja is also celebrated on the same day.
Winter
Prathamastami
On Prathamastami (ପ୍ରଥମାଷ୍ଟମୀ), households pray for the long life of the firstborns. Enduri Pitha is a special delicacy which is prepared for this occasion. It has the cultural significance that first born were usually expected to take over as the family head. It falls on the eighth day of Margasira month.
Spring
Vasant Panchami
Vasanta Panchami (ବସନ୍ତ ପଞ୍ଚମୀ) occurs on the fifth day of the first lunar fortnight of Magha month (Magha Shukla Panchami), which usually falls in January or February. It is also observed as Saraswati Puja (ସରସ୍ୱତୀ ପୂଜା). Saraswati is the goddess 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 Shivaratri
Maha Shivaratri (ମହା ଶିବରାତ୍ରି) is celebrated on the 13th night or 14th day on the waning lunar fortnight in the Phalguna month. It usually falls in February or March. It is considered the night on which Shiva 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 god, who is worshiped in the form of a lingam. Worshipers may hold an all-night jagarana and break their fast the next morning.
Shivaratri is celebrated in major Shaivite temples like Lingaraja temple, Kapilash Temple, and Mukteswar temple. Shivaratri is also important to ascetics as Shiva is considered an ascetic god. Ascetics may partake in drinks like Thandai on this day.