Festival

Khudurukuni Osha is one of the most heartfelt village rituals of Odisha, observed during the month of Bhadrab (August–September). On every Sunday of this sacred month, young unmarried girls gather near a river or pond after their morning bath, shaping an image of the Goddess Mangala from clay. With songs, rituals, and offerings, they pray for her blessings of protection and well-being while reciting age-old ballads passed down across generations. At the heart of this observance lies the poignant tale of Taapoi, a young girl whose story is a symbol…

Suna Besha (also known as Rajadhiraja Besha or Golden Attire) is one of the most visually stunning and spiritually significant rituals performed in honour of Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha. Suna Besha means “Golden Adornment.” It refers to the occasion when Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are decorated with gold ornaments and jewellery. Suna Besha is mainly observed on the day after Bahuda Yatra (the return journey of the Rath Yatra). On Rath Yatra, it takes place on the chariots parked outside the Jagannath Temple at Singhadwara. On other occasions,…

Budhei Osha, popularly known as Budhi Bamana, is a festival celebrated every Wednesday in the month of Bhadrab. Budhibaman is a local god capable of granting eyes to the blind, children to the childless, and curing leprosy and other virulent diseases. Budhei is worshipped every Wednesday of the Bhadrab month. The curry stone, adorned with vermilion, collyrium, and flowers, is offered to God. According to the myth, a wine merchant's wife was cured of leprosy. Five of his sons were killed by a king, and then life was restored for…

Raja Sankranti is an agriculture-oriented festival, mainly observed in the coastal districts of Odisha for three days. The last day of the month of Jestha is known as Pahili Raja, and the first day of the month of Asadha is Raja Sankranti. Even in some places in Odisha, the fourth day of the Raja festival is also celebrated as Basumata Puja. During this festival, Earth, or "Basu Mata," is considered to be a menstruating woman. Hence, digging soil or tempering it in any way is strictly prohibited. Mother Earth is…