The People of Odisha observed fairs and festivals throughout the year. It is said the 13th festival in the 12th month or Bara Masara Tera Parba. most of the people of Odisha state are religious-minded and habituated to worship God and goddess. The main and important festivals which attract the visitors are given below.
Taratarini Yatra- It is a famous festival of Goddess Taratarini every Tuesday in the month of Chaitra at the site of Taratarni seated on the hillock at Purushottampur of Ganjam district. It is 35 km away from Berhampur.
Laxmi Puja – Laxmi Puja is a week-long celebration offering Puja to Goddess Laxmi. It is gorgeously celebrated at Kendrapara, Dhenkanal & Choudwar from the full moon day of Kartik. Famous Fair & Festival of Odisha
Deepavali & Kali Puja – Deepavali & Kali Puja of Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and other towns of Odisha are held on the dark new moon day of Kartik. Famous Fair & Festival of Odisha
Bali Yatra – The Bali Yatra of Cuttack is celebrated for a week from the day of the full moon day of Kartik. Besides the above festivals, numerous festivals are observed throughout the year in rural areas in favour of their deities and have their typical performance representing the social, cultural & religious life.
Nua Khai- This festival is celebrated mostly in Western Odisha. On this day in the second week of September, people eat the product of their field which they have produced at their field. Famous Fair & Festival of Odisha
Ramanavami – Rama Navami is observed on the 9th day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra in memory of the birthday of Sriram. Rama Mandir takes a magnificent look at Ramnavami Day. Devotees throng the premises to worship and offer their prayers to Sri Ramchandra..
Biswakarma Puja- The Mechanics, Artisans, Workers Labourers. worshipped Lord Biswakarma, the Lord of the creator in September at their factory, machines and tools etc.
Kumar Purnima- Kumar Purnima is celebrated on the full moon day after Dussera by the girls of Odisha. Girls worship Lord Kartik for getting a handsome groom.
Janmashtami- Janmashtami falls on the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Sravan. Janmashtami is celebrated with much pomp and ceremony in Krishna Balaram temple.
Ashokastami – Ashokastami is the celebration of the car festival of the Lord Lingaraj. It is celebrated on the 8th day of the bright fortnight in the month of Chaitra (March- April). Chandrasekhar, the proxy of Lord Lingaraj, Rukmini and Basudeva are driven in a wooden chariot to the Rameswar temple, about two km from the Lingaraj temple and returned after four days of stay with Mausi Maa.
Chaiti Parba – Jhamu Yatra is the most important festival of Goddes Mangala at Kakatpur and some other Shakti Pitha in Odisha during the month of Chaitra (April) The Danda Nata, Patua Nata, Jhamu Nata(walking on fire) and Ghoda Nata (Horse dance) are an interesting sight of the festival.
Magha Saptami – Magha Saptami falls on the 7th day of the bright fortnight of Magha. A large fair is held at the Khandagiri hill for seven days, commencing from Magha Saptami. Several Jatra parties perform their plays during this far, and a huge market temporarily runs here. People from all over the state come here to see this fair. Famous fare & festival of Odisha.