As India comes to terms with the demonetisation of high value currency notes, one festival that truly represents the spirit of commerce and finance might come and go in Orissa this year, without much fanfare – Boita Bandana and Bali Jatra.
Culture
Durga Puja – The Celebration of Odia Identity
Originally Durga worship was carried out in temples. But there is no dated evidence when Durga puja started on a large scale.
When will Nuakhai become a Truly pan-Odisha Festival?
Given the agrarian origins and largely secular moorings of Nuakhai, there is no reason why it should not be a pan-Odisha festival.
Straw Painting – Odisha’s Exquisite Handicraft
Synonymous with straw painting, Jirala in Dhenkanal district has carved a place for itself in the art map of Odisha due to the efforts of Pradeepta, who is the lone craftsman in the state practicing and promoting straw painting.
Biswakarmas: Craftsmen of the Gods
The architectural marvels are carefully crafted by a team of 75 carpenters under the watchful eyes of three Mukhya Biswakarmas (chief carpenters)— Bijay Mohapatra, Krushna Chandra Maharana and Nrusingha Mohapatra— within a 58-day deadline that begins on Akshya Trutiya.
Silence of Ganjapa Shuffle
While just two to three families prepare these cards in Puri district, there is only one family each in Sonepur, Ganjam and Gajapati districts who are carrying on with the tradition.
Diwali in Odisha – Celebration of A Different Kind
Diwali is a unique celebration in Odisha. Here, the ‘Festival of Lights’ is not just limited to customary bursting of crackers and exchange of lip-smacking sweets, but also accompanied by Kali Puja and the ritualistic ceremony of ‘Badabadua Daka’. The celebrations are special in the Millennium City of Cuttack, Coastal town of Bhadrak and the very-popular Pilgrim Town of Puri.
Cuttack’s Golden Durga Puja
In the Silver City of Cuttack, Durga Puja is unique in more ways than one. While the neighboring State of West Bengal hosts the autumn festival with theme-based pandals and idols, Odisha’s Millennium City of Cuttack decorates the Mother Goddess with gold and silver.
Durga Puja: Celebrating Tradition
Durga Puja is is the only time of the year when around 2000 Bengalis of Bhubaneswar come together for community bonding. The Kalibari Durga Puja Samiti, on its part, takes care to offer them a taste of authentic Bengali tradition.