3/21/2011 Oriya (Odia) Calendar 2011 - Odia Fes…

ODIA FESTIVALS

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Brief Notes on Oriya Festivals

Makar Sankranti: It is celebrated on the occasion
of uttarayan (northward journey) of the Sun-god. A special CLICK HERE FOR CALENDAR OF 2011 IN ORIYA
semi-liquid preparation called Makara Chaula is offered LANGUAGE
to the god as prasad and distributed among one and all.
(Makara Chaula is prepared by combining semi-pasted
rice, milk, scrubbed coconut, banana, chopped cucumber, After clicking, please allow one or tw o minutes for complete
cottage cheese, sugar, ginger and black pepper - all stirred dow nloading of the pdf file.
together).

Sri Panchami: This day students ORIYA FESTIVALS IN 2011

seek the blessings of Devi Saraswati -
the goddess of arts and learning. Puja
is performed before the image of the (Brief Notes are available on the * marked festivals)
goddess and students fast till they
make a floral offering
(pushpanjali) to her around mid-day. JANUARY 2011
Maha Shiva Ratri: It is the day of Lord Shiva's 04 Tuesday Bakula Amabasya
appearance in the universe. To celebrate the occasion
devotees of Lord Shiva perform pujas in temples during the
day. There is a custom of remaining awake throughout the 14 Friday Makar Sankranti*
night by chanting or listening to hymns in praise of Lord
Shiva.
15 Saturday Samba Dasami*
Phagu Dasami: This is the celebration of romantic union
of Radha and Krishna. Beginning this day images of both 16 Sunday Putrada Ekadasi
Radha and Krishna are placed on a swing and are worshipped
by smearing them with abir (coloured powder). This ritual 20 Thursday Pushyabhishek
continues till Dola Purnima.

Dola Purnima: This is the concluding day of six-day long 29 Saturday Shattila Ekadasi
worship of Radha and Krishna, which starts on Phagu
Dasami. It is celebrated on the full moon day in the oriya
month of Falguna. The colour festival of holi is celebrated
usually on the day following Dola Purnima.
FEBRUARY 2011
Rama Navami: A s in the rest of
India, Rama Navami is also celebrated
throughout Orissa as the birth day of 02 Wednesday Triveni Amabasya
Lord Rama. It is also the celebration
of his wedding with goddess Sita.
Pujas are offered by visiting the 08 Tuesday Sri Panchami (Saraswati
temples of Lord Rama. Puja) *
Chaitra Purnima: A month-long puja of goddess Mangala
begins this day (usually on all Tuesdays of the month). 13 Sunday Kumbha Sankranti
Fishermen worship their fishing net, boat and the waters
seeking blessings of the almighty for prosperity.
14 Monday Bhauma Ekadasi
Akshaya Trutiya: It is the day when farmers
auspiciously begin sowing seeds of paddy in their fields. This 18 Friday Magha Purnima
is also known as 'muthi anukula’. The process of construction
of the grand chariot of Lord Jagannath for the occasion of 28 Monday Smarta Ekadasi
Rath Yatra also begins this day by following the prescribed

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rituals.

Sudasha Brata: Sudash Brata is observed whenever

there is a combination of (1) Shukla Paksha (2) Thursday MARCH 2011
and (3) Dasami. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped during the
day by offering ten Manda Pithas in puja (see Oriya Foods
page for recipe of Manda Pitha ). A sacred thread (consisting
02 Wednesday Maha Shiva Ratri *
of ten layers of thread) is prepared in the prescribed manner
and tied by women on their arms until the arrival next 15 Tuesday Phagu Dasami */ Meena
occasion of Sudasha Brata (when the thread is replaced
again). To know more about the ritual, you may download the Sankranti
traditional Sudasha Brata Katha in Oriya by clicking on the
link available at the bottom of this page
16 Wednesday Papanasini Ekadasi
Maha Vishuba Sankranti: It is also known as Mesha
Sankranti. It is on this day that Sun enters the sign Libra. The 19 Saturday Dola Purnima *
Oriya community celebrates New year on the occasion. A
sweet concoction known as pana is prepared and
distributed among one and all. (Pana is prepared by mixing 20 Sunday Holi
different types of fruits, water, milk, pulp of bela, curd and
sugar). This day is also marked by literary get-togethers.
30 Wednesday Pamamochan Ekadasi
Savitri Brata: It is observed by all married women for the
well-being of their husbands. Women performing the puja
have to observe fasting during the day and read out or listen
to Savirti Brata Katha which is a poetic rendition of how Maha
Sati Savitri saved her husband from the clutches of Yamaraj
APRIL 2011
by dint of her virtues and devotion. (You may download the
Savitri Brata Katha in Oriya and English by clicking on the 01 Friday Utkal Divas
links available at the bottom of this page.) It is a custom for
women to receive money on the occasion from their parents
/ brothers towards expenses for the puja. 03 Sunday Chaitra Amabasya
Shitala Sasthi: This is the celebration of Lord Shiva’s 11 Monday Ashokastami
wedding with goddess Parvati. In villages the wedding
celebrations are arranged in a grand manner. The Marriage
procession (barat) of Lord Shiva is organized and delicacies 12 Tuesday Rama Navami *
are distributed among people in celebration of the celestial
wedding.
14 Thursday Maha Vishuba Sankranti *
Raja: During this three-day period
/ Kamada ekadasi
of Raja, women get their right to rest
and merri-making. They are not 28 Thursday Baruthini Ekadasi
supposed to work during these days.
Swings are tied under branches of
large trees so that women and
girls could enjoy swinging while the
husbands and other male-members in the family take care
of cooking. It is customary to relish Poda Pitha (see Oriya MAY 2011
Foods page for recipe) during the festival. Women are
strictly forbidden to perform puja of any kind either at home
or in the temples during this period of three days.
06 Friday Akhsaya Trutiya*

Ratha Yatra: Lord Jagannath along 13 Friday/ Madhusudani Ekadasi

with his brother Balabhadra and sister
Subhadra comes out of the precincts 14 Saturday
of his temple in Puri for a visit to his
aunt’s place at Gundicha Mandir which
is about five kms away. The three 15 Sunday Brusha Sankranti
deities undertake their journey in
three huge chariots pulled by
thousands of devotees. It is said that it is an occasion for 28 Saturday Jala Krida Ekadasi
Lord Jagannath to give an opportunity of his darshan to the
people whose entry is forbidden into his temple. (Non-Hindus
are not allowed to enter the temple). Though this festival had
its beginning in Puri, now-a-days it is also being observed
through out the world, where ever there are temples of Lord
Jagannath.
JUNE 2011

Bahuda Yatra: It is the day of return journey of Lord

01 Wednesday Savitri Amabasya*
Jagannath from the Gundicha Mandir. It is celebrated with
the same pomp and gaiety as that of Ratha Yatra. 07 Tuesday Shitala Sasthi*
Chitalagi Amabasya: A lso known as Chitau A mabasya.
12 Sunday Nirjala Ekadasi
Lord Jagannath is embellished with a golden mark on the
forehead called Chitta this day. In homes a special pitha
known as Chitau Pitha is prepared and offered to Lord 14 Tuesday Prathama Raja
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Jagannath in Puja (See recipe on our 'Oriya Foods' page.)
15 Wednesday Raja Sankranti*
Gamha Purnima: The practice of tying rakhis on the
wrists of brothers this day is only a recent phenomenon in
Oriya community as imitated from the north Indian
27 Monday Khali Lagi Ekadasi
communities. Originally in Orissa this day marks the worship
of Lord Balabhadra. Bullocks and cows are also worshipped
by smearing their heads with sindur. The youngsters gather
in the streets and demonstrate a traditional high jumping
skill called Gamha Dian. JULY 2011
Ganesh Chaturthi: Ganesh 03 Sunday Sri Gundicha (Rath Yatra)*
Chaturhi is observed by the Oriya
community for invoking the blessings
of Lord Ganesha as is the custom 11 Monday Bahuda Yatra*
among other communities in India.
Students observe fasting in the day
till they make a floral offering 12 Tuesday Hari Shayan Ekadasi
(pushpanjali) before the image of
Lord Ganesha seeking his blessings for
acquiring wisdom.
15 Friday Vyasa Purnima

Nuakhai: It is celebrated as a way 16 Saturday Karkata Sankranti

of thanks giving to Mother Earth. Celebrated especially in
western orissa on a predetermined day in the Oriya month of 26 Tuesday Kamada Ekadasi
Bhadrab it features partaking of the first grains of paddy
after harvesting the kharif crop. A ll in the family and
community join together to partake of the holy offering in 30 Saturday Chitalagi Amabasya*
leaf cups sitting on the ground facing towards east.

Apara Paksha: It marks the beginning of a period of 15

days to perform shraddha for paying tributes to one’s
departed ancestors. It is performed wishing peaceful stay of AUGUST 2011
the departed ones in heaven.
09 Tuesday Putrada Ekadasi
Dasahara: A s in other states in India, Dasahara also
marks the end of four-day long Durga puja celebrations in 13 Saturday Gamha Purnima (Rakhi)*
Orissa. On this day the valedictory puja of Devi Durga is
done, and the earthen image the goddess is immersed
in river. In Orissa this day at around mid-day all types 17 Tuesday Sinha Sankranti
vehicles such as cars, buses, trucks, bicycles and bullock-
carts are worshipped by invoking the presence of Devi Durga
into them. In the evening, women perform a special puja 19 Friday Raksha Panchami
called Somanath Brata. It is a form of worshipping lord
Shiva. A treatise narrating the tale is Soma Nath is read out.
(Somanath Brata Katha in Oriya may be downloaded by 21 Sunday Janmastami (Smarta)
clicking on the link available at the bottom of this page). The
offerings before the god include Manda Pitha ( a delicacy 22 Monday Janmastami (Baishnaba)
made of wheat flour with stuffing of scrubbed coconut,
sugar and spices), ten types of fruits and ten types of
flowers. A fter completion of the Puja in the evening women 25 Thursday Amla Ekadasi
break their day-long fast.

Kumara Purnima: It is particularly a festival of kumaris . 29 Monday Saptapuri Amabasya

However it has now evolved into being a festival of kumars
as well. The young ones enjoy this festival wearing new 31 Wednesday Bali Trutiya
dresses. In the evening they worship the full moon in the
sky. In the southern parts of Orissa the young and old alike
celebrate this festival. Playing of some indoor game on this
day is considered mandatory. It is said that one who does
not play this day would be born as a toad in the next birth.
SEPTEMBER 2011
Dipavali: A lso known in the
northern states of India as Diwali, this 01 Thursday Ganesh Chaturthi*
festival is mainly celebrated as a
remembrance of pitru Purusha, or
ancestors. Lighted sticks or diyas are 02 Friday Nua Khai*
shown towards the sky in the evening
seeking the blessings of ancesters
and praying for their well-being.
08 Thursday Parswa‐paribartan Ekadasi
Bursting of fire-crackers and decorating houses with candles
and diyas this day is not a custom original to Orissa. How 13 Tuesday Apara Paksha* (begins)
ever this ritual has now been widely adapted from the north
Indian states.
17 Saturday Kanya Sankranti /
Panchuka: It is a practice among pious Oriyas to give up Vishwakarma Puja
non-vegetarian food such as fish, meat and egg during the

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3/21/2011 Oriya (Odia) Calendar 2011 - Odia Fes…
entire month of Kartik. How ever those who are not in a
position to abstain from non-vegetarian foods during the 23 Friday Indira Ekadasi
entire month, have the option to give it up for five days
beginning from Panchuka. There is a popular proverb in
Oriya which says that even the fish-hunting bird of crane 27 Tuesday Mahalaya Amabasya
does not touch fish during these five days.

Kartik Purnima: It is an occasion to commemorate the

glorious prosperity of Orissa in the olden days when the
sadhabas (maritime traders) practised maritime trade in far
off countries. They were traditionally sailing off into the sea
OCTOBER 2011
every year on the day of Kartik Purnima while their spouses
used to see them off by conducting aarti. A s a token 04 Tuesday Maha Astami
remembrance of the past glory, this day Oriya women sail
off small toy-like boats in the rivers and perform puja early
in the morning. 06 Thursday Dasahara* / Sudasha
Brata*
Prathamastami: It is an occasion to perform puja for the
well-being of the first child in the family. A delicacy called
Haladi Patra Enduri Pitha (idlis filled with sweet stuffing and 07 Friday Papankusha Ekadasi
wrapped in green leaves of turmeric plant before being
steamed) is the specialty of the day.
11 Tuesday Kumar Purnima*
Manabasa Gurubar: On every
Thursday in the Oriya month 17 Monday Garbhana (Tula) Sankranti
of Margasir goddess Lakshmi is
worshiped with utmost devotion by
Oriya women. They wake up very
23 Sunday Rama Ekadasi
early in the morning and clean the
house with broom-sticks, for it is 25 Tuesday Dhanwantari Puja
believed that goddess Lakshmi
would never visit the house if the house remains dirty and
untidy. The entrance as well as the door step of the house is 26 Wednesday Dipavali (Diwali)*
decorated with artistic Orissan alpana (called chita or
jhoti). A pot made of bamboo canes used in the olden days
for measuring paddy (known as mana) is filled upto the brink 30 Sunday Naga Chaturthi
with freshly harvested paddy. It is believed that goddess
Lakshmi visits every house-hold during the puja. It is a
custom to recite the Lakshmi Purana, written by ancient poet
Balaram Das, while performing the puja. (You
may download the Lakshmi Purana in Oriya and also an
English translation of it by clicking on the links available at
NOVEMBER 2011
the bottom of this page.)
04 Friday Amla Navami
Dhanu Sankranti: This festival is celebrated by
preparing a special delicacy made of sweetened riceflakes 06 Sunday Prabodhini Ekadasi
called Dhanu Muan which is offered to Lord Jagannath in
puja. A grand street play is held on this day in the Bargarh
town of Orissa enacting the various episodes of Lord 10 Thursday Kartik Purnima*
Krishna's life. The entire township stretching over five
kilometers serves as an open-air theatre and a large number
of people participate in it with pomp and splendour. 11 Friday Chhada Khai

DOWNLOADS 17 Thursday Bicha Sankranti /

Manabasa Gurubar*
'LAKSHMI PURANA' IN ORIYA (pdf) (Begins)
'LAKSHMI PURANA' IN ENGLISH TRANSLATION (doc) 19 Saturday Prathamastami*
'LAKSHMI PURANA' IN ENGLISH SCRIPT (doc) 21 Monday Uthapan Ekadasi
'SAVITRI BRATA KATHA' IN ORIYA (pdf) 24 Thursday Manabasa Gurubar*
'SAVITRI BRATA KATHA' IN ENGLISH (doc)

'SUDASHA BRATA KATHA' IN ORIYA (pdf)

DECEMBER 2011
'SOMANATH BRATA KATHA' IN ORIYA (pdf)
01 Thursday Manabasa Gurubar*
COMPLETE ORIYA CALENDAR OF 2009 (pdf)
06 Tuesday Mokhada Ekadasi
COMPLETE ORIYA CALENDAR OF 2010 (pdf)
08 Thursday Manabasa Gurubar*
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3/21/2011 Oriya (Odia) Calendar 2011 - Odia Fes…
COMPLETE ORIYA CALENDAR OF 2011 (pdf)
16 Friday Dhanu Sankranti*
JHOTI / CHITA PATTERNS (pdf)
21 Wednesday Saphala Ekadasi
Brought to you by: ORIYA NARI TEAM
24 Saturday Bakula Amabasya

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