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Fairs & Festivals of Orissa |
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Kalinga
Mahotsav
When people celebrate their
heritages and ways of life, the spirit of
revelry crosses languages, continents and
cultures. And the Kalinga Mahotsav at Dhauli,
a festival of Martial Dances, is celebrated
very much in that spirit.
For the people of Orissa Dhauli hill at the
outskirts of Bhubaneswar is more a living
experience than a memory. Twenty three hundred
years ago, their fore fathers fought one of
the fiercest battles in human history against
Emperor Ashok. They suffered loss of a hundred
thousand men, lost the war, but gained
immortality, because they metamorphosed a
warring monarch into an apostle of
non-violence and peace. The festival is a
fitting tribute to the victory of Peace over
War where renowned dancers of India perform
harmonising the vigour of martial art with
sublime dance forms.
The Martial dancers interpret incredible
postures of aggression, self-defence and
escape in graceful dance-forms with their
swords, spears and shields. They thrill
audiences with their rhythm and precision of
movement.
Kalinga Mahotsav, a fabulous feast of dizzying
dancing and dynamic stage presentations, is
held at the foot-hill of the famous Peace
Pagoda.
The Kalinga Mahotsav, showcases the
vibrant traditions of martial arts of India
through a colourful display of dances and
music. This unique festival takes place every
year on the 4th and 5th of February in front
of the Dhauli stupa, the Japanese Buddhist
Temple situated on a hill at the outskirts of
modern Bhubaneswar. This is the place where
Emperor Ashok is believed to have fought the
last battle of the great Kalinga war before
surrendering the sword and embracing Buddhism.
The calm and solemn statue of Buddha
overlooking the entire stage from the top of
the stupa and the tranquil expanse of the
countryside populated by paddy fields and
cashew plantations provides the peaceful
background to the outburst of movements and
sounds which accompany the performance of the
martial artists. The aim of the organisers is
to harmonise the vigour of martial tradition
with the sublimity of peace through the art of
dance.
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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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