Fairs in Orissa

Fairs & Festivals in Orissa - With numerous religions, ancient temples, local shrines, tribes and an array of sacred places, Orissa observes uncountable number of festivals and fairs round the year. Three different religions flourished on the holy land of Orissa thus making it mandatory to celebrate various religious festivals with great fanfare.

A land of varied cultures and traditions, Orissa automatically serves to be a land of festivals. Religion or folklores, tradition or agriculture and seasonal variations or ethnic dance forms; all serve to be a setting for the celebration. Orissa celebrates one or other festival every month giving an opportunity to the visitors and natives both to enjoy and have real fun.

With some of the special rituals attached to each, these festivals add bright colors to the landscape of Orissa's cultural heritage. Some of the festivals of this land of Lord Jagannath are dedicated to His holy self. Some other festivals celebrated in Orissa find a close resemblance to a lot of festivals of North India; however they are called by different names and are even celebrated in a different fashion. But amazingly, every festivity centers around the prayer sacraments to seek the blessings of gods, exchanging goodwill, distributing sweets, decorating houses, wearing new clothes, music, dance and feasting. Whatever is the way, each festival really makes the country come alive throughout the year.

Durga Puja and Kali Puja are the two major festivals of the land that showcase the power of the Shakti worship cult in Orissa. Celebrated with utmost earnestness, joviality and eclat, this festival celebrated in the months of September and October truly offer an opportunity for a larger than life type celebration. Other festivals like Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Dola Purnima, Konark Dance Festival and Puri Beach Festival accompanied by some tribal festivals are also celebrated with much gusto here.

Beneshwar Fair