Magha Saptami
Celebrated in praise of Lord Surya, Magha Saptami is one of the most colourful and popular festivals in the state.It is the second biggest festival in Orissa after the Rath Yatra. The festivities are most spectacular at Konark.

Mahashivrathri
Shiva's 'Great Night' is celebrated with great zest in the month of February-March. Fasting and singing of devotional songs continue throughout the great day which culminate in the lighting of the 'Mahadeep' (sacred lamp) at the dead of night on the top of the temple and kept burning all night long.

The lamp symbolises the eternal light of wisdom shown by the Lord to his erring devotees. The fast is broken by taking a holy dip.

Ashokashtami
Lord Lingaraja is taken out on a wooden chariot (34! high) to the Rameswar Temple about two kilometres away from the Lingaraj Temple.

After a four-day sojourn, He is returned to His original abode with great festivity and religious fervour. This is an annual feature.

Taratarini Mela
One of Orissa's largest fairs, the Taratarini Mela takes place on every Tuesday in the month of Chuitra at Taratarini Pitha, 35 km from Berhampur.

A great influx of tourists takes place on the third Tuesday and the parents embald their children in honour of the deity.

Chaitraparba Chhow
This eight-day festival is enjoyed by both tribals and non-tribals. Hunting and dancing mark tribal festivities. The head of the family pays homage to his ancestors in the presence of the priest.

The Danda Nata and Chaiti Ghoda Dance (folk dance forms) are performed in the coastal areas. The Chhow Festival commences on the 11th/ 12th April every year and continues for a period of three days concluding on 'Mahavisuba Sankranti' at Baripada.

Performed by exponents and troupes of Chhow Dance, it is a festival of festivals enjoyed by the people of the country and enthusiasts from abroad.

Sitalasasthi
Celebrated with great show at Sambalpur, Barapali and Bhubaneswar, this festival marks the holy matrimony of Shiva and Parvati.

The images of the married couple are taken in a procession on beautifully ornate carriages. A great Puja culminates with the installation of the Divine Couple at the Shiva Temple.

Rath Yatra
The passing of time has certainly not dimmed the pomp and ceremony or the intense religious aura that surrounds the annual rites for one of the most dynamic temple-festivals in the world. The Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath at Puri is one of the most important festivals not only for the Orissans but also for the whole human race.

The Jagannath Temple is one of the four holiest places (dhams) in India for the Hindus and the chariot procession (rath yatra) every year is a culmination of the religious importance, the deities enjoy.

The sheer sizes of the chariots are enough to fire the imagination. These enormous raths, hoisted on huge wheels are hauled by thousands of frenetic devotees to the Gundicha Ghar, where Lord Jagannath, His sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra rest for a week.

The whole process is repeated when the images are transported back to the Jagannath Temple amidst a great deal of colour and frenzy activity.

Ganesh Puja
The God of learning and good fortune is worshipped all over the country. Festivities in Orissa include the gorgeous clothing and decoration of the God and invocational songs, followed by innovative entertainment programmes all week long.

Dussehra
In Cuttack, the celebration of Durga Puja (Dussehra) is particularly vibrant with the images of the Goddess being dressed most exquisitely and finally being carried in a colourful procession for immersion in the river

Laxmi Puja : Fairs & Festivals
Week-long celebration, particularly colourful in Dhenkanal, Choudwar and Kendrapara.

Bali Yatra
Orissa's ancient maritime linkages with Bali are celebrated in this unusual festival. Observed on the full moon day of Kartik (considered highly auspicious for taking a voyage to distant lands), tiny boats made of either paper or bark of banana trees are lit with clay lamps and floated in rivers and tanks all over the state.

A big fair popularly known as Bali Yatra is held at the fort area of Cuttack on the banks of the Mahanadi on this occasion.

Konark
A festival of classical dances performed by the celebrated danseuses of the country on the Open Air Auditorium with the Sun Temple at the backdrop is organised annually at Konark.

During the festive evenings, the atmosphere is surcharged with rhythmic dancing beats and melodious tunes accompanied by the surging waves of the lonely sea.

Dhanu Yatra
Relating to the episode of Lord Krishna's visit to Mathura to witness the ceremony of 'Bow', Dhanu Yatra is colourfully observed at Bargarh. The town of Bargarh becomes Mathura, the river Jira becomes Yamuna and the village Amapalli becomes Gopa.

Different acts of the puranic descriptions are enacted in their right places and the spectators move from place to place to witness these variegated performances.