Fairs and festivals
The festivals may be broadly divided in to
two categories, domestic and public festivals.The festivals are confined to the worship of
family deities. Puplic festivals are usually attended by a large number of
people. Some of the important puja/festivals are Laxmi puja, Ram Navami,
Shivaratri etc. Some other festivals of greater importance to the western
Odisha regions are-
Puajiuntia &
Bhaijiuntia: The Puajiuntia ceremony is celebrated on the 8th day of the
dark fortnight in the month of Aswina (September-October). On this occasion all
the mothers fast the whole day and night and worship the deity called Dutibahana.
The purpose is to wish long life and prosperity to their sons. The barren women
also observe this ceremony to get a son. Bhaijiuntia is observed on the 8th day
of bright fortnight. The sisters worship goddess Durga on this occasion for
long and happy life of their brothers. In return the brothers present new
clothes and sweets to their sisters.
Festivals of Agricultural Importance:
Nuakhai: Nuankhai or ‘Nabanna’ is the most important and popular
festival of the area. Before the production of upland rice the people observe
this festival in the bright fortnight of Bhadrav. They worship paddy in honour
to their first production as agriculture is the main occupation of people. It
is necessary to use flattened rice made of new paddy. On this day the village
deity and goddess laxmi are worshipped by offering Nua (mixture of new
flattened rice, sugar and milk), then the Nua is distributed among all the
family members in a special leaf called ‘Kurei Patar’. All of them accept
Nabanna having sat in a row in eastern direction. All members of family wear
new clothes and enjoy the festival by taking cake and rice pudding.
Bihan chhina yatra: It is celebrated on 3rd day of the bright fortnight of
Jyostha. The wives worship the earth Goddess and other presiding deities along
with a basket of paddy to the son dried rice and flowers etc. On that
auspicious day, the head of the family sows the bihan (seeds) after worshiping
the land by offering milk, rice and flower. Then agricultural operations start.
Ashadh khena yatra: This festival is celebrated just after the germination of paddy
and full moon of Ashadha. This festival is celebrated to avoid diseases and to
keep crops healthy.
Rog boholen: The word literally means ‘floating of diseases’. It is
observed twice in the month of Shravana and Bhadrava. It is believed that all
diseases related with man and domestic animals wiped out due to observation of
this festival.
