A truly vibrant land; Odisha has a lot that appeals both the mind and soul!
Traditions
Odisha is home to a lot of beautiful cultural heritage. Some of these things include historical monuments, archaeological sites, traditional arts, sculpture, dance, and music. Odisha's culture and tradition are important to the people here, and everyone is welcomed with love and respect.
Must Know Traditions, Culture & Arts of Odisha
To feel one with this beautiful place; you have to know & see the traditions, culture and eye catching arts of Odisha.
Odisha is known for its unique culture and the people here call it the Jagannath Sanskruti. Most of the people in Odisha are devoted to Lord Jagannath and live by his teachings. Odias share a lot of traditions and customs that make them one big family. Every festival is enjoyed with the same enthusiasm and joy. This beautiful land has an equally appealing art, which is a must see!
Ratha Yatra - Bringing People Together
Rajo - Celebrating Goddess Earth
Durga Puja - Celebrating Goddess Durga
Maha Shivaratri – A Day To Celebrate Lord Shiva
Odissi - The Traditional Classical Dance Form
Pattachitra - The Traditional Form of Painting on Cloth
Rock Paintings - The Prehistoric Paintings
Talapatra Chitra - The Paintings on Palm Leaves
Applique work - The Beautiful Art on Cloth
1. Ratha Yatra - Bringing People Together
There are many big festivals in Odisha celebrating different cultures and traditions. One of the biggest is the Ratha Yatra. It's a festival where people from all around come together to celebrate.
The Ratha Yatra is a long journey that the gods take to visit their temples. Every year, there is a festival at Puri where millions of people come to see idols of deities, including Lord Jagannath, Balabadhra, and Subhadra. These idols are taken on a grand chariot from the Puri temple to the Gundicha temple, where they stay for nine days.
2. Rajo - Celebrating Goddess Earth
The three-day festival in mid-June is a celebration of the Goddess Earth. Kids can play swings and eat special rice cake delicacies at the festival.
3. Durga Puja - Celebrating Goddess Durga
Durga Puja is a celebration of the Goddess Durga. It is a festival that is celebrated throughout India. People gather together to pray to Maa Durga, and they sometimes perform ceremonies in her honor.
During Durga Puja, people in Cuttack go to different pandals to see decorated idols of the Goddess. This brings everyone in the area together in a spirit of religious unity. Navratri and Vijaydashmi are also celebrated with a lot of pomp and show in Cuttack.
4. Maha Shivaratri – A Day To Celebrate Lord Shiva
Maha Shivaratri is a day to celebrate the Lord Shiva. This day is called the night of Shiva's dance. People fast and visit Shiva temples to pray for the well-being of their friends and families. unmarried women pray for a good husband, and married women pray for the health of their spouses.
People in Odisha celebrate Shivaratri with a lot of enthusiasm.
5. Odissi - The Traditional Classical Dance Form
Odissi is the oldest of India's classical dance forms; it is one of the eight classical dance forms of India and is a dance form that comes from Hindu temples. Odissi is based on teachings from the ancient Sanskrit text Natya Shastra. This dance form has been celebrated all around the world for its lyrical and sensual qualities. Its repertoire includes songs and dances about Hindu gods and goddesses. Odissi dancers use traditional dance postures and movements to tell stories, poems, and spiritual ideas.
6. Pattachitra - The Traditional Form of Painting on Cloth
Patta means cloth, and Chitra means picture. Pattachitra is a type of painting that is done on cloth. It is related to the cult of Shri Jagannath and the temple traditions in Puri, and is believed to have originated as early as the 12th century. Pattachitra painting is done using natural colors, and the gum from the kaitha tree is the main ingredient used to make the paint.
7. Rock Paintings - The Prehistoric Paintings
Rock paintings in Odisha are beautiful examples of Indian paintings created by talented artists. These paintings draw millions of tourists and travelers from different parts of India and also foreign visitors. Some of Odisha's best rock paintings are found in rock shelters in the dense forests of western Odisha. Ushakothi and Manikmada, Sundargarh District, Yogimatha and Gudahandi, Kalahandi District are some of the most beautiful examples. The natural rocks located here are home to prehistoric paintings that have been done by local tribes of western Odisha and Central India.
8. Talapatra Chitra - The Paintings on Palm Leaves
Palm leaf painting is an art form that is used in India, specifically in the state of Orissa. The art is old and has been around for a long time. The origins of the art are difficult to say, but considering the mention of palm leaves in literary works and the pictorial representations of the art that are found in sculptures and monuments, it is assumed to be older than many other art forms.
9. Applique work - The Beautiful Art on Cloth
Applique work from Pipli in Odisha is world famous. This art work originated from the Jagannath cult, which is popular among the royalty and nobility of Orissa. In the past, Pipli craftsmen created canopies, banners, umbrellas, and fans for festivals held in Puri's famous temple. But as the art's popularity spread far and wide, the craftsmen started making other decorative and utilitarian items, too. It is now considered to be one of the best crafts in Orissa.
