Bali Jatra (literally meaning “Voyage to Bali”) is one of Asia’s largest open-air trade fairs and a flagship cultural festival of Odisha. Held annually in the historic city of Cuttack on the banks of the…
Nuakhai (pronounced No-a-khai) is the most significant social and cultural festival of Western Odisha. Derived from two local words—Nua (meaning new) and Khai (meaning food)—it literally translates to “eating the new harvest.” Celebrated on the…
Raja Parba (pronounced Raja Porbo) is a four-day agrarian festival celebrated across Odisha in mid-June. Arriving with the onset of the monsoon, it is a one-of-a-kind celebration that honors both Mother Earth (Bhudevi) and the…
Ratha Yatra—also known as the Festival of Chariots—is one of the oldest, largest, and most iconic religious gatherings on Earth. Celebrated annually in the coastal city of Puri, Odisha, this sacred festival marks the public…