Balijatra Famous festival in Cuttack

Balijatra literally means A Voyage to Bali. This festival is held in Odisha, in the city of Cuttack at Gadagadia Ghata of the Mahanadi river, to mark the day when ancient Sadhabas (Oriya mariners) would set sail to distant lands of Bali, as well as Java, Sumatra, Borneo (all in Indonesia), and Sri Lanka for trade and cultural expansion. They sailed in large vessels called Boitas

Bali Jatra is also associated with Taapoi and rituals like Bhalukuni Osha or Khudurukuni Osha and Bada Osha. Taapoi is closely associated with the Bali Jatra festival, which recalls traditional memories of young maidens waiting for the return of their sailor brothers. To commemorate this, the festival is celebrated every year from the day of Kartika Purnima according to the Oriya Calendar.

In Cuttack, Bali Jatra is celebrated annually as a large open fair near the Barabati Fort area. It is said to be the largest fair of Odisha state. There are several attractions for children, and food stalls selling Oriya delicacies (Cuttacki Dahivada Aludum, Thunka puri, Barafa pan, Gupchup, etc.) from different parts of the state, and other vendors selling Handicraft product, Handloom Product, curiosities, and other gifts. Bali Jatra also provides a lot of cultural programs. Every year millions of people from all over the nation come to experience it.

The Snana Yatra is a bathing festival celebrated on the Purnima (full moon day) of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha

The Snana Yatra is a bathing festival celebrated on the Purnima (full moon day) of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. It is an important festival of the Jagannath devotees. This is the first occasion in the year as per the Hindu calendar, when the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, and Madanmohan are brought out from the Jagannath Temple (Puri) and taken in a procession to the Snana Bedi. There they are ceremonially bathed and wear traditional yellowcolor Kahndua pata decorated for a public audience with the devotees.

It is a belief among devotees of Lord Jagannath that if they make a pilgrimage to see the deity on this day, they would be cleansed of all of their sins. Hundreds of thousands of devotees visit the temple on the occasion. The Skanda Purana mentions that King Indradyumna arranged this ceremony for the first time when the idols of the deities were first installed.

"Kartik Purnima" also known as Tripuri Purnima and Tripuri Purnima.

The Purnima on the day of Shukla Paksha in the Kartik month is known as Kartik Purnima. Kartik Purnima is also known as Tripuri Purnima and Ganga Snan. Kartik Poornima will be observed on Wednesday, 25th November 2015. 

Lord Mahadev killed a demon named Tripuri on this day and hence, it is known as Tripuri Purnima. Kartik Purnima has immense religious value according to the Hindu mythology. 

There is a tradition of taking a bath in Ganga and donating lamps on this day. It is believed that Kartik Purnima provides Dharma, Artha, Kama and Salvation. 

Kartik Purnima is considered as an auspicious day according to Hindu mythology. It is considered to be day of Lord Shiva, Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Angira and Lord Sun. 

A person involving in baths, charity, donation etc on this day receives fruitful results. 

Shri Satyanarayana story is read on this day and lamps are lit on intersections, under Peepal trees, in temples etc. Prayers offered on each Purnima beginning from Kartik Purnima give positive results.

Importance of Kartik Purnima worship. This festival celebrates all people and wears new Sarees, Kurta and Dhoti. 

It is believed that charities on this day are equal to a hundred Ashvamedh Yagyas. It is also believed that charities, donations etc in this month help in attaining salvation. 

All these things keep great importance on this auspicious day. Donations, charities etc. on this day, help in getting closer to Lord Shiva and keeps a person healthy and content. 

Kartik Purnima is one of the most important Purnima of the year.

"Dhanu Sankranti" Famous festival Odia People

"Dhanu Sankranti" marks the day when Sun enters in the Sagittarius or Dhanu Rashi. Dhanu Sankranti marks the beginning of the ninth month in Hindu Solar Calendar. This symbolizes the beginning of the auspicious Dhanur mas for the Vaishnava sect.

On this day, Lord Surya or the Sun God is worshiped. Devotees take a dip in the sacred rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Yamuna as it is considered a very auspicious ritual. This festival is celebrated with great gusto in Orissa. Lord Jagannath is worshiped on this day. In Orissa, the month of Pousha is considered the month of plenty. Hence, after collecting the harvest a festival of celebration is organized. A special delicacy made of sweetened rice flakes Dhanu Muan is prepared which is offered to Lord Jagannath. This festival celebrate in all people and wear new dress. 

FAMOUSE MAA HINGULA YATRA AND 12TH LOKAMAHOTSHAV CELEBRAED IN TALCHER

The nine days function of fire deity Maa Hingula and 12th lokamshotshav is being celebrated here at Gopal gada from 13th April, Sunday and will last on 21st of this month.

Lakhs of devotees are coming here for darsham from special areas in and outside of odisha. Maa Hingula's temple is situated at Gopal Prasad on the river bank of Singada in Talcher Sub Division of Angul District. 

Every year on Bishun Dasamak Chaturdashi( chaitra Sukla Chaturdashi) this famous festival of Maa Hingula is observed and Goddess Hingula gives darshan to her devotees in a state of burning fire near her temple at Gopalprasad, one of the famous Shakti Pitha in the conutry. This festival celebrate in all People and wear in new saree. 

Gita Jayanti is the birthday of Bhagvad Gita

Gita Jayanti is the birthday of Bhagvad Gita, the sacred text of the Hindus. It is celebrated on the Shukla Ekadasi, 11th day of the waxing moon of Margashirsha month of the Hindu calendar. It is believed the "Bhagavad Gita" was revealed to Arjuna by Sri Krishna Himself in the battlefield of Kurukshetra (in present day Haryana, India). 
The text is written in third person, narrated by Sanjaya to King Dhritarashtra as it transpired between Sri Krishna and Arjuna. Sanjaya, the secretary of the blind King Dhritarashtra, had been blessed by his Guru, Vyasadev, with the power to remotely view the events taking place on the battlefield as they transpired. Gita Jayanti is celebrate all people and wear in new dress. 

Prathamastami festival celebrated in the month of Margasira

Prathamastami is celebrated on the eighth day in the month of Margasira (November-December) and is one of the most popular festivals of Odisha. This is widely observed throughout the State. On this occasion the eldest child of the family is honoured. He or she is given new clothes and is made to sit on a wooden pedestal (Pidha).

In front of him/her an earthen pot full of water (Purna Kumbha) is placed on handfuls of paddy. Above it a branch of mango leaves and a coconut is placed. Then, the mother or any other elderly lady wishes him /her long-life and good health by praying Sathi Debi, the Goddess who protects children from all kinds of evils.

Before the first-borns get honoured, the mother and all other elderly women of the family offer all the prepared cuisine (Pitha and Khiri) to Sathi Devi first. Then they light the lamp (Arati with Dwipa) before the Goddess. Followed by this the first-borns get honoured.