BEACHES| WILDLIFE TEMPLES HANDICRAFTS DANCES

The festivals are as numerous as the days in a year, each with a difference having an individuality of its own culminating in the grand Car festival of Puri.

RATHA YATRA : Ratha Yatra, 'Known as Car Festival' is the grandest of all festivals of Orissa. It is sacred journey of Lord Jagannath with brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra from the main Jagannath Temple to another shirine called 'Gundicha Mandir' for nine days. It begins from the 2nd day of the bright half of 'Asadha' Which falls in June-July every year.

BALI YATRA: To commemorate the glorius past of commercial voyages to the islands of Bali, Java and Sumatra by Orissan Traders, a big fair called 'Bali Yatra' is held on Mahanandi river bank at Cuttack on the fullmoon day of Kartik.

BEACH FESTIVAL : Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath is a wonderful beach resort for leisure tourist. It is known for its thirteen major festivals of Lord Jagannath celebrated every year. But the new Tourist festival is known as 'Puri Beach Festival' held from 5th to 9th November each year.

KONARK FESTIVAL: A festival of Classical dance forms performed by the celebrated dancers of the country on the OPEN AIR AUDITORIUM set amidst the casuarina grove against the back drop of Sun Temple, a World Heritage Monument. During the festival evenings the atmosphere is surcharged with rhythmic dancing beats and melodious tunes.

ASHOKASTAMI: The Car Festival of Lord Lingaraj at Bhubaneswar, Ashokastami is held in the bright half of "Chaitra". The protege of Lord Lingaraj is taken is a chariot from the main temple to Rameswar Temple and return after a four-day stay.

CHAITRA PARBA : The "Chaitra Parba" or "Chhau Festival" commences from 10th/11th April every year and continues for three days concluding on "Mahavishuva Sankranti Day" at Baripada. This is a festival of festivals which is enjoyed by the people of the country and the enthusiasts from abroad.

SITALASASTHI: The celebration of marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva with Parvati starts with the untying of the wedding knot of the divine couple. Devotees act as their parents to perform the marriage. The bridegroom's procession popularly known as "Barat" starts from the 5th night of the bright half of Jyestha and the marriage is performed in the traditional manner.

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