Art & Culture

61 Centuries after centuries have elapsed in the wheel of time. Yet, all through these years, the Cult of Lord Jagannath has remained mysterious to one and all shrouded in a perplexing enigma. The researchers have not been able to trace a definite time to which the origin of the ...

The secret ritual of Brahma Paribartan (Changing the soul) of Lord Jagannath’s present idol took place on June 15 (Sankranti). During the Brahma Paribartan, the old Pati Mohapatra priest of the temple shifts the Brahma from old idol to the new ones. After Brahma Paribartan, the new idols get ‘lives’ ...

For entertainment, people of Odisha depends upon stage show, staged by so many groups in the occasion of festivals like Dasahara, Rashpumima, Raja Parba and Dolapumima. Stage show are organized by some drama committees in rural areas. Rural people also very interested to listen pala and Dasakathia and dance like ...

  Odissi music is regarded as a part of Karnataki music. The central authorities have not far been convinced to recognize Odissi Music as a separate form of classical Indian Music. It has developed an original form of music form the time of great Oriya poet Jaydev  of 12th century. ...

Odissi dance is one of the earlier form of Indian classical dance. This dance has been protected in the temple and caves of Orissa for several centuerias. Recently it has been exposed the people of the whole country and in the foreing countries also. It has originated from the Devadasi ...

Manabasa Gurubar Lakshmi vrata is observed during gurubar or Thursdays in the month of Margasira. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on Thursdays during Margashirsh Month (November – December) in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. This puja is performed to get Sukh, Shanti and Aishwarya – comfort, peace and prosperity. Margasira ...

Odisha has good deal of well – known tradition of oshas , bratas and melas. the ceremony and sancity of these traditional religious festivities are unparalleled . but these days, such occasions seem to become less lively and some of them are gradually perishing seem to become less lively and ...

  The name “Diwali” is a contraction of “Deepavali” (Sanskrit: दीपावली Dīpāvalī), which translates into “row of lamps”.Diwali involves the lighting of small clay lamps (diyas or dīpas) in Sanskrit: दीप) filled with oil to signify the triumph of good over evil. During Diwali, all the celebrants wear new clothes and share sweets and snacks with ...

Janmashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna, the re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu who gave us the vital message of the Bhagwat Gita – the guiding principles for every Hindu. This religious festival is celebrated all over India in the month of August/September on the ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the eighth day in ...

  The word pattachitra is reclaimed from the Sanskrit word pata, usually means a cloth piece, Chitra means painting or picture. . The subject matter of Patta paintings is limited to religious themes. The stories of Rama and Krishna are usually depicted on the pattas. “Rasa Lila”, “Vastra Haran”, “Kaliya ...

JANUARY 04 Tuesday Bakula Amabasya 14 Friday Makar Sankranti* 15 Saturday Samba Dasami* 16 Sunday Putrada Ekadasi 20 Thursday Pushyabhishek 29 Saturday Shattila Ekadasi FEBRUARY 02 Wednesday Triveni Amabasya 08 Tuesday Sri Panchami (Saraswati Puja) * 13 Sunday Kumbha Sankranti 14 Monday Bhauma Ekadasi 18 Friday Magha Purnima 28 Monday ...

Chhau is an ancient dance form. It originated in the mock fights of the Oriya paikas (warriors) who fought rhythmically to the accompaniment of indigenous music instruments The highly Stylised Chhau dance of today follow the basic principle of the Natya Shastra of Bharat Muni and the Abhinaya Darpana of ...

Associated with the cult of Krishna leela has a deep religious flavour.People in the village communities in certain parts of Orissa join in singing and dancing to the accompaniment of mridanga and cymbals. This is performed particularly on the occasion of Holi and Rasa Purnima. Different episodes of Krishna legend ...

Rama Leela, a very popular theatrical performance of Orissa as elsewhere in India, being religious in character retains all its religious significance. The theme of the performance is derived from Ramayana . In some places the performers use masks and there are others who do not use them. We have ...

Pala, a very popular performance associated with the mixed cult of Satyapir, has wide distribution in Orissa. Its origin goes back to Muslim-mughal period when asimilation of Satya Narayan of Hindu pantheon with Pir of Muhammadanism, brought about a synthetic cult known as ‘Satyapir’. This is an instance to show ...

A colourful and popular performance is rendered by two members, one signer (Gayaka) and the other accompanist (Palia). The very word (Dasakathia) is derived from the word Das which means worshipper and Kathi means two pieces of sticks which produce a very sweet sound. This performance is ritualistic and secular ...

The Konark Dance and Music Festival of Orissa is founded in the year 1986 at Konark Natya Mandap by Padmashree Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, The Konark Dance Festibal is held at the open air theatre of the Konark Natya Mandap, a prototype of famous Konark Temple. The Festival, held every year ...

A few mythical stories related with Rath Yatra’s origins exist that reflect the socio-religious thinking and beliefs of the people of the region. Some of the chief ones are: To kill Lord Krishna and Balram, Kansa, their maternal uncle, invited them to Mathura. He sent Akrur with a chariot to ...