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Fairs & Festivals of Orissa |
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Ekamra Utsav
Bhubaneswar, the capital of modern
Orissa, is a happy combination of old world
charms and new world comforts. The scriptures
refer to the ancient Bhubaneswar as the Ekamra
Kshetra, literally meaning 'mango orchards'
which remind us the union of Lord Shiva with
Goddess Parvati. The blending of modernity
with tradition here is impeccable. While the
ancient city is 2600 years old, the modern
city came into existence in 1948 as the new
capital of Orissa, designed by the German
Architect O.H. Koeingsberges. It is said that
there were about seven thousand temples here,
which earned it the coveted title of the
'Temple City of India'. Even today from the
hundreds of temples that still stand
majestically as mute witness of a glorious
past, one can study the chronological
development of temple architecture from the
beginning in the 7th Century AD to its
culmination in the 13th Century AD. It is a
centre of art and craft, manifest in the
dazzling array of products like stone
sculptures, patapaintings, palm-leaf etching,
silver filigree, papier mache, etc. which is a
shoppers' delight. The classical Odissi Dance
and Music have a solid foundation here fondly
nourished by illustrious Gurus. The city has
also distinguished itself as an important IT
Centre and Software Technology Park as well as
an ideal Venue for Conference and Conventions
to do business with pleasure.
Around Bhubaneswar lies Dhauli in the South
which witnessed the great battle of Kalinga in
261 BC after which Emperor Ashok embraced
Buddhism and spread the message of peace to
the world. Closeby are the remains of
Sisupalgarh believed to be the earlier capital
of Kalinga. On the west are the twin hills of
Khandagiri-Udayagiri honeycombed with rock-cut
caves built for the Jain ascetics during the
illustrious emperor Kharavela in the 2nd
century BC.
Bhubaneswar has, however, been mostly popular
as the city of temples among the tourists. But
the cultural efflorescence of the city goes
beyond the temples. To familiarize the
tourists with the larger canvas of the place
covering Art & Crafts, Dance & Music,
Handicrafts & Handlooms, etc., a Mega Festival
titled Ekamra Utsav has been conceived. This
15-day event will also feature an
International Food Festival and a virtual walk
through the Heritage Corridors. A Half
Marathon will add spice to this year's Utsav.
The festival of promises to be an experience
of a life time.
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Religious Festivals
Major Religious Festivals:
Mahashiva Ratri, Durga Puja,
Ganesha
Chaturthi, Lakshmi
Puja, Deepavali,
Dusserah,
Dola
Purnima (Holi),
Akshyaya Trutiya,
Gahma
Purnima,
Makara
Sankranti, Ashokashtami,
Nuakhai,
Basanta
Panchami, Hingula
Yatra, Prathamastami,
Baseli Puja,
Janmastami,
Raja
Sankranti,
Chaitra
Parba, Kartika Purnima,
Rama Navami,
Khudurukuni
Osa, Savitri Brata,
Dhanu Yatra,
Kumar
Purnima, Shamba
Dasami, Sital Shashti,
Magha
Saptami,
Visuva
Samkranti,
Viswakarma
Puja.
Jagannath Temple Festivals
Major
Jagannath Temple Festivals:
Rath Yatra,
Chandan
Yatra,
Devasnana Purnima,
Basanta
Panchami,
Chitou
Amavasya, Nava
Kalebara.
Special festivals
Major Special Festivals:
Puri
Beach Festival,
Konark
Festival,
Kalinga
Mahotsav,
Raja Rani
Music Festival,
Shreekstra
Utsav, Ekamra Utsav,
Dhauli Mahatsova,
Folk Dance Festival,
Khandagiri Festival,
Konark Dance & Music
Festival,
Parab
Festival
Tribal Festivals
Major Tribal Festivals:
Chaita Parva,
Karama
Festival, Bali Jatra,
Sume-Gelirak,
Bija Pandu,
Kedu Festival,
Maghe Parab
Fairs & Exhibitions
Major Fairs & Exibitions:
Bali
Yatra, Magha Mela,
Taratarini
Mela, Joranda Mela,
Makar Mela
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