Odisha festivals
Giant chariots, sea voyages and dance under the stars.
Puri · June–July
Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra ride huge wooden chariots to the Gundicha Temple.
All Odisha · June
A three-day festival honouring Mother Earth and womanhood, with swings, songs and poda pitha.
Cuttack · Kartika Purnima
Held on the Mahanadi banks, it recalls Odisha’s ancient sea trade with Bali, Java and Sumatra.
Bargarh · Dec–Jan
The whole town becomes a stage for Lord Krishna’s story – the world’s largest open-air theatre.
Konark · December
Classical dancers perform in an open-air theatre with the Sun Temple as the backdrop.
Konark · Jan–Feb
Pilgrims take a holy dip at Chandrabhaga beach at sunrise to worship the Sun God.
Puri · April–May
For 21 days, the festival deities of the Jagannath Temple enjoy boat rides on Narendra Pokhari.