Major Festivals
Puri and its surrouding places is known for vibrant fairs and festivals round the year. The grandest of which is the Ratha Yatra held in June/July. Infact the Ratha Yatra is essentially the grand culmination of several festivals held earlier in the year. Let’s take a look at what this coastal city has to offer.
Abhisheka( Dec/Jan): Abhisheka is the beginning of a series of festivals related to Lord Jagannath of Puri. Abhisheka or Avhisheka is the coronation ceremony of the Lord. It is held on a full moon day in December/January corresponding to the Oriya month of `Pausha`. That is why it is called as Pushyavisheka, denoting coronation in Pausha month.
Dolayatra( March): Dolayatra, known in north India as Holi is observed from the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Falguna (March-April) till Purnima( day of full moon). Dolagobinda or Madan Mohan is enshrined on a swing and abir (coloured powderapplied on his holy feet.
Chandanyatra( April-May):Chandan Yatra a 21 day festival commences on the auspicious Akshaya Tritiya, the 3rd day of the bright fortnight of Baisaksh. It corresponds to the English calendar of April -May. During this festival, idols of various gods are taken out in a procession to Narendra Tank. The idols are then placed in a boat amidst chanting and music and taken on a cruise.
Snana Yatra( May–June): Snana Yatra counts among the popular religious festivals of Puri. It is held on the full moon day of the Oriya calendar of Jyestha ( May- June). This is the day when the deities of Lord Jagannatha, Balbhadra and Subhadra along with Lord Madan Mohan and Sudarshan are taken out in a colourful procession. At the end of the procession the idols are placed on a Snana Vedi on the outer enclosure of the temple. Here the holy ritual of bathing takes place. For this 108 pitchers of water are drawn from a nearby well close to the Northern Entrance.
Ratha Jatra( June-July): Ratha Yatra or Car festival is something beyond Puri , Orissa and even India. No matter the word juggernaut meaning something gigantic in the English dictionary was inspired by the Jagannatha Rath Yata. This festival watced by millions takes place normally on the 2nd day of the bright fortnight of the Oriya month of Asadha. This corresponds to the English calendar of June and July. On this auspicious day, the deities of Lord Jagannath, his eleder brother Balabhadra and younger sister Subhadra are brought out from the main temple. The Gapjapati Raja of erstwhile royal family also performs “Chhera Pahnra” cleaning humbly the Lord’s chariot with a broom having a golden handle. Then passing through the teeming devotees the deities travel on three huge wooden chariots especially made for this occasion to the Gundicha Temple, three kms away. The place reverberates with vigorous chanting and sound of cymbals and Mridanga, the devotees as if in a trance pull the chariots away. The scene is ecstatic and is beyond description by words. A must visit occasion.
Puri Beach Festival (Novermber): Puri Beach Festival is held every year in the month of November for 4 days. A variety of cultural events, Orissan craft and cuisine are the main highlights of the event. Adapting to the choice of Gen next the organizers have also added a fashion and a rock show to add some fizz to the event. This event makes it an interesting affair for tourists and locals alike.
