Colorful Festival with Tribal Wonder in Odisha (Orissa)
RATH YATRA ( CHARIOT FESTIVAL )- 2023-24
Date of Celebration: 20th June to 29th June 2023
“Journey with God”; the grand chariot festival of lord Jagannath, One of India’s greatest annual events, popularly known as Rath Yatra takes place in Puri and other part of India and abroad . But especially colorful at Puri and tribal areas
At Puri: when a fantastic festival sets forth from Jagannath Mandir it commemorates the journey of Krishna from Gokul to Mathura. The immages of Jagannath, his brother and his sister are brought out from the temple and dragged in hug “wooden cars” know as Raths, down main grand road to Gundicha Mandir (about 3 and half km)
The main car of Jagannath stands 14mt high, over 10Square, and rides on 16 wheels, ach over 2mt in diameter . Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims (and tourists) flock from all over India to witness this stupendous scene.
Once the cars reach Gundicha Mandir, the gods take a week-long ” Summer Break” before being reloaded onto the cars and returned to Main Jaggannath temple , in a virtual repeat of the previous week’s procession. After the festival, the cars are broken up and used for firewood in the communal kitchens inside the temple. New cars are constructed each year, mostly out of a special wood, thereby putting enormous pressure on the state’s dwindling forests.
At the Tribal area in Odisha (Orissa)- Same date and same procession occurs but some place three chariots and some place one chariots / special event is with the traditional custom and musical instruments the tribal group of particular areas join in this festival with local which is very interesting in photography point of view.
A particular tribe in Orissa fixed the marriage at the beginning days of the festival and many newly married tribal couple wearing with their traditional custom and ornaments come in the beginning day of the festival which is another attraction.
Location of this festival:
Through out the state but our festival tour start from southern- tribal part of Orissa – Bissamcuttack
Nearest airport is Visakhapatnam (250 km) and Bhubaneswar ( 400 km) .
Nearest railway station is Bissamcuttack ( 10km) , nearest main railhead is Rayagada ( 45km) . And it connects with all weather motor able roads.
And conclusion at Puri ( Eastern Odisha) the main grand temple of God Jagannath which is one of the major tourist attraction of our country.
Puri nearest airport is Bhubaneswar ( 60 km). Main rail head is at Puri it self – 2 km from city center.
Photography- Allowed
Entry tickets: No entry fee but if you want seating arrangement on a bungle top (for better sight and photography / toilet facility) at PURI during Chariot festival then it is chargeable
Tour program- We suggest our guest to start their journey from wonderful tribal land of south eastern part of orissa and enjoy the chariot festival with a specific ethnic group and our itinerary not only cover colorful chariot festival but also very isolated ethnic villages, beautiful landscape , gorgeous waterfall, to culture of western and coastal part of orissa too.
For instant Itinerary please feel free to contact with us / just you send your arrival and departure date rest you leave on us:
We introduce nice village retreat near at Puri (10km) named Selanidingo which give the peace and harmony pollution free ambiance, catamaran boat ride on the virgin river with classic life style including classic music & Gotipua and organic cooked food to rejuvenate your soul
Tour itinerary / duration: 14 Night / 15 Days (weekend to weekend)- or as your choice
2- Dhunuyatra Festival : 2024
Date of Celebration: 15th Jan. – 25th January 2024
It’s the festival of legendary dramatic story of lord Krishna (from birth to king ceremony) and open air festival between two villages recorded Guinness Book of World Records. (Largest drama pandal in the world). Where two villages are involved in this festival for 11 days. Each day is the different chapter of that legend live story display by the villager.
Location of this festival:
Dhanyu Yatra– Bow Festival location at Bargarh -western part of Odisha( Orissa),
Nearest airport is Jharsuguda (105km) : This airport is connect with only Bhubaneswar yet; Raipur (300km). connect with Delhi, Mumbai, Bhopal etc…& Bhubaneswar (340km), connect with Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai etc…
Nearest railway station is Bargarh (4km from city center) , main rail head at Sambalpur ( 40km). It connects the all weather motor able road to the major cities of India.
Photography– Allowed
Entry tickets: free
Tour program- our suggested itinerary cover the most colorful Dhanuyatra festival at Bargarh with the wonderful tribal part of Orissa , beautiful landscape , isolated ethnic village to western and coastal part of orissa too.
For instant Itinerary please feel free to contact with us / just you send your arrival and departure date rest you leave on us:
Tour itinerary / duration: 14 Night / 15 Days (weekend to weekend)- or as your choice
3 – JORANDA SADHU FESTIVAL: (11th & 12th Feb. 2025)
It is the festival of Mahima religion Sadhus (holy men) in the month of Feb. In their main monastery at Joranda near Dhenkanal annually. The unique worship of supreme sadhus’ (who wear only lean tree bark on their lower part) at their monastery and the holy fire which is for peace and harmony for the universe with 11 ft. Fire stand attract many thousand visitors and devotee throughout the state.
It is the festival of Mahima religion Sadhus (holy men) in the month of Feb. In their main monastery at Joranda near Dhenkanal annually. / there are groups of Monastries.
There are three catogorised Mahima Sadhus such as
1) Gruha Tyagi- (Primery)- Those are students in preliminary stage they mediate and completely dedicate in this religion and the disciple of Supreme sadhus./ wearing saffron color two piece of cotton cloth.
2) Kaupuni Dhari- (Secondary) – after 12 years of dedication and disciple the supreme sadhu committee decided them to promote primery to Secondary/ wearing saffron color very lean cloth tie by organic rope on their waist to cover only the lower private part.
3) Bakala Dhari (supreme) – after 12years of dedication and disciple of the supreme sadhus committee deciede them to promote secondary to Supreme / the supreme sadhu leave all the cotton cloth / wear only two piece of tree bark (locally that tree called “Kumbhi”)/ almost all supreme sadhus matted hair is more then 2 mts long. During festival these Supreme sadhus only allow to worship the main monastery of infinity with big fire stand
The unique worship by supreme sadhus’ (who wear only lean tree bark on their lower part) at their monastery and the holy fire which is for peace and harmony for the universe with 11 ft. Fire stand attract many thousand visitors and devotee throughout the state.
Location of this festival: Joranda (Sadhu Monastry) is -25 km from Dhenkanal and 100 km from Bhubaneswar.
Nearest Airport Bhubaneswar– 100 km (2.30hr drive)
Nearest Railway station– Dhenkanal- 25km (45mnt drive), Major Rail head – Cuttack- 75km- (2hr drive)
Photography– Allowed inside Monasteries (except the treasury monastery)
Entry tickets: Free
Tour program- our suggested program cover the most colorful Joranda Sadhu (Fair) festival at Joranda, Dhenkanal with the wonderful tribal part of Orissa , beautiful landscape , isolated ethnic village to western and costal part of orissa and many more….
For instant Itinerary please feel free to contact with us / just you send your arrival and departure date rest you leave on us:
Tour itinerary / duration: 14 Night / 15 Days (weekend to weekend)- or as your choice
Note : We can combine of Joranda sadhu festival in orissa tour with Rajim Kumbha Mela (Fair)Festival ( 12th feb .to 26th February 2025) in Chhattisgarh , because both fair are near by dates for more detail please call to us.
4-KONARK FESTIVAL: (1st-5th December)–
It is a festival of classical dances of India performed at the backdrop of the 13th century Sun Temple, Konark. Which is held in an open air auditorium, showcases a magical parade of India’s classical and traditional dance forms annually? Besides the dance performances the guests will explore the language of stone of sun temple. Sand Art exhibition will be yet another attraction for tourists.
5-Nabarna Bhoga at Joranda (17th September 2023)
It is another interesting festival of Mahima sadhus (saints) at Joranda main monastery. Where thousands of Sadhus and Devotees gather to celebrate this festival .
“Nabarna Bhoga” means the first crop of the season eaten by these Sadhus (Holy men) in a group . First they offer it to god of infinity with very typical ways, then the supreme sadhus eaten with high respect and then all the devotees receive the holy food . It is very interesting to snap the photography when they eat together and also the special worship.
Location of this festival: Joranda (Sadhu Monastry) is -25 km from Dhenkanal and 100 km from Bhubaneswar.
Nearest Airport Bhubaneswar– 100 km (2.30hr drive)
Nearest Railway station– Dhenkanal- 25km (45mnt drive), Major Rail head – Cuttack- 75km- (2hr drive)
Photography– Allowed inside Monasteries (except the treasury monastery)
Entry tickets: Free
Tour program- our suggested program cover the most colorful Nabarna Bhoga festival at Joranda, Dhenkanal with the wonderful tribal part of Orissa , beautiful landscape , isolated ethnic village to western and costal part of orissa and many more….
For instant Itinerary please feel free to contact with us / just you send your arrival and departure date rest you leave on us:
6-Chariot Festival at Konark (20th January 2024)
It is the festival of Sun god , which Begin from Konark and proceed to chandrabhaga surya (sun) temple -3km with great procession (pulling by people) and again return process after 27 days or accordingly solar calendar (15th Feb. 2024)
Each year the day of celebration changes accordingly solar calendar.
7-RAJARANI MUSIC FESTIVAL :(January)
This festival is held against the backdrop of the 11th century Rajarani temple in Bhubaneswar during the month of January. The ambiance is relaxing and uplifting. The temple has absence of any presiding deity so it’s like a monument. But famous for its magnificent statues of eight Digpalakas (guarding the eight cardinal directions of the temple). The musical evening’s performances by the great maestros of Indian classical music.
8-FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL AT SAMBALPUR: (4th – 6th January)
Besides the Classical Odissi Dance Orissa is rich in folk dances also. A festival is organised at Sambalpur (western part of Orissa) for three days (from 4th – 6th Jan.)To present glimpses of folk dances of Orissa from different regions. The famous folk dances accompanied by rhythmic music, vocal as well as instrumental, keep the tourists (guests) spell bound. Another attraction of that festival is the dancers and the accompanists also present glimpses of the local handloom fabric through their costumes.
9-KHANDAGIRI MOHASTAV & KHARAVELA MELA AT KHANDAGIRI 🙁 January- February)
A grand fair is held at Khandagiri near Bhubaneswar from MAGHA SAPTAMI (We inform you the date, because it’s in our Oriya calendar) for about a week. A variety of local handmade product, especially from the rural areas, is displayed for sale.
During evening hours Indian classical and folk dances is also organised on the open air pandal.
10-KONARK DANCE & MUSIC FESTIVAL 🙁 19th – 23rd February)
This festival has completely dedicate the legend Guru late Gangadhar Pradhan, this festival has established its own unique identity by the eminent artistes of national and international repute participate and perform Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Kathak, Mohiniattam and other classical folk & tribal dances/ music of our country on the enchanting stage of the Natyashala in the monumental Sun Temple, Konark. The stage and the atmosphere are magnified by the spiritual flavour, in the natural ambience.
11-ADIVASI MELA AT BHUBANESWAR: (26th January-09th February)
The Adivasi Mela has been exhibited each year by Orissa state govt. In Bhubaneswar, Showcases the art and craft of the tribal communities. The special highlights of the festival are the forest products and tribal products, exhibited and sold as well as cultural programmes presented by different tribal communities.
12-KALINGA MAHOTSAV: (23rd -24th February)
It’s a dizzying dancing and dynamic stage presentation, is held at the hill of the famous Peace Pagoda. It showcases the vibrant traditions of martial arts India through a colourful display of dances and music. The calm and solemn statue of Buddha overlooking the entire stage from the top of the Dhauli stupa. The martial dancers interpret incredible the brave idea of kalinga through their different traditional weapons and thrill the audience. The aim of the festival is to harmonize the vigor of martial tradition with the display of peace through the art of dance.
13-DHAULI MAHOTSAV: (25th- 27th March)
Dhauli Mahotsav showcases a wide range of rural art and culture from classical to folk items such as Odissi dance, Gotipua, Odissi vocal, chhau dance etc. Many artists from different disciplines perform on the different days of the Mahotsav. The event aim is to embrace many artists into its cultural fold and also at international cultural amity and harmony.
14-PARAV- TRIBAL DANCE FESTIVAL: (16th – 18th November)
Orissa is rich in tribal culture with 62 tribes; after a day’s hard work the simple tribes have host of dance forms to enjoy their life. With a view to unfolding this aspect of the tribal culture a festival of tribal dances known as “Parava” is organised at Koraput every year. The tribal dancers with their traditional costumes and typical head gears keep the tourists (guests) amused. The aim of this festival is to display the rich tribal culture to rest of the world.
| Tribal Fair and Festival in orissa | 2023 | 2024 |
| Mandei at Nabarangpur | 1st to 3rd Nov. | 1st to 3rd Nov. |
| Dhanuyatra festival at Bargarh | 15th January – 25th January | |
| Joranda Mahim Sadhu Fair (Mela) at Joranda | 23rd & 24th February | |
| Chariot festival at Bissamcuttack & Puri | 20th -28th June at Bissamcuttak (tribal area)20th – 29th june at Puri (Odisha) | 7th -15th July at Bissamcuttak (tribal area)7th July – 16th July at Puri (Odisha) |
| Dusshera festival trough out state | 20th Oct- 24th Oct. 2023 | 8th Oct- 12th Oct. 2024 |
Note: we can well organize the seating and refreshment program with the help of local during different festival time.
What ever you want out of your trip we can tailor make an itinerary for you!!!!!
For more detail description & best price please feel free to contact : [email protected] , [email protected] , or phone / what’s app to us +91-9439050039