Odisha is surrounded by its neighbouring states West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh, and their influence is reflected in their culture and festivity. The state of Odisha celebrates such religious, cultural and public holidays with great gusto, and the level of enthusiasm all throughout the state is infectious. Devotees in big numbers gather at religious locations to perform the rituals and take an active part in fairs, processions and celebrations. Go through the list of Odisha festivals prominently observed in the state and find out more about them as per Odisha Govt Holiday List 2020.
| Date & Day | Holiday |
| January 23, Thursday | Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti |
| January 26, Sunday | Republic Day |
| January 30, Thursday | Vasant Panchami |
| February 21, Friday | Maha Shivratri |
| March 5, Thursday | Panchayatiraj Divas |
| March 10, Tuesday | Holi or Dol Jatra |
| April 1, Wednesday | Bank Holiday, Utkal Divas |
| April 2, Thursday | Ram Navmi |
| April 10, Friday | Good Friday |
| April 14, Tuesday | Ambedakar Jayanti, Maha Vishuba Sankranti |
| May 24, Sunday | Eid al-Fitr |
| June 14, Sunday | Pahili Raja |
| June 15, Monday | Raja Sankranti |
| June 23, Tuesday | Rathayatra |
| July 31, Friday | Bakrid / Eid al Adha |
| August 3, Monday | Rakhi, Jhulan Purnima |
| August 11, Tuesday | Janmashtami |
| August 15, Saturday | Independence Day |
| August 20-21, Thursday-Friday | Muharram Begins |
| August 22, Saturday | Ganesh Chaturthi |
| August 23, Sunday | Nuakhai |
| September 17, Thursday | Mahalaya |
| October 2, Friday | Gandhi Jayanti |
| October 23, Friday | Maha Saptami |
| October 24, Saturday | Maha Ashtami |
| October 25, Sunday | Maha Navami |
| October 26, Monday | Vijaya Dashami, Durga Puja |
| October 30, Friday | Eid e Milad |
| October 31, Saturday | Lakshmi Puja |
| November 14, Saturday | Diwali or Kali Puja |
| November 30, Monday | Guru Nanak Jayanti |
| December 25, Friday | Christmas Day |
Note: These dates are subjected to change as per astrological calculations as well as government announcement. Visit this page and stay updated with the latest date and time.
Below given is a list of holidays and festivals celebrated in Odisha and find out more about their occurrence and rituals.
As per Odisha Govt Holiday List 2020, Maha Vishuba Sankranti also goes by the name Pana Sankranti and marks the commencement of the Traditional New Year for Hindus and Buddhists living in Odisha. This day is observed according to the Luni-Solar Calendar and similar to Vaisakhi in Central & North India, Pohela Boishakh in Bengal, and so on. On this day, devotees take a holy bath, venerate the deities by visiting the Shiva, Hanuman or Shakti temples and visit the melas and fairs. Pana, a sweet drink made from mango, yoghurt, milk and coconut is shared.
Raja Sankranti, also known as Mithuna Sankranti or Rawjaw Parba, stretches up to three days, where the second day marks the initiation of the solar month Mithuna. As per mythological legends, Mother nature undergoes the natural process of menstruation during the first three days, after which the Vasumati Snana or ceremonial purifying bath is carried out.
Jhulan Yatra is known as the Festival of Swings and honours the eternal love of Radha and Lord Krishna. This festival falls during the month of Shravana on Purnima and is one of the major festivals for Vaishnava sect. On this day, devotees visit the pandals, decorate their houses, perform cultural dance and swing on the swings. Also, the idols of Radha-Krishna are placed on a decorated swing and songs glorifying their love are sung.
Nuakhai is observed one day after Ganesh Chaturthi and celebrates the new paddy harvest. It is celebrated with high passion in the cultural region of Sambalpuri. On this day, auspicious muhurat is calculated and grains from the new harvest are offered to the local deities. Greetings ("Nuakhai Juhar") are said to each other, and folk dance and songs are performed at the event "Nuakhai Bhetghat"
Deepabali, famously called as Diwali all over the world, falls on the day of Amavasya during the month of Kartik and is celebrated with equal fervour. On this day, people clean their houses, prepare sweets, light their houses with diyas and lamps and get together to spend beautiful moments. Natives wish each other good luck and recite the Badabadua verse while burning jute stalks and remembering their ancestors. Here is the verse:
Its english translation is also provided:
Having Mahaprasad, May you attain salvation on the 22 steps of the Jagannath temple of Puri.
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We hope that you find this article on Odisha holidays 2020 informative. Stay tuned with us.