1)Rath Yatra This festival is the main tourist attraction which has such a magnetic driven force that it not only attracts people from India but also from abroad. People actually visit Puri in the month of June as it’s during this month that the Rath Yatra takes place. Here Lord Jagannath with his sister Subhadra and brother Balabhadra take an annual vacation to the ‘Gundisha Ghar’, 2 kms away from the
main temple. This journey is called the Rath Yatra. The three deities are taken in three separate chariots (Raths) and are pulled by the devotes to the Gunchida temple. This festival is extremely looked forward to by its devotees who
decorate the chariots elaborately with colours and these colours are synonymous with each deity and symbolizes the significance of each deity.
2) Nava Kalebara
Nava Kalebara and the Rath Yatra both of which are related to Lord Jagannath. The Nava Kalebara is again a ritual where the three deities- Lord Jagannath,Subhadra and Balabhadra change their external forms. So new idols are
carved out of Chandan-Neem trees (Sandal wood and eucalyptus).This wood is then taken to the temple where Vishwakarmas( wood sculptors) work for 21 days in secrecy and give the final shape to the idols. The new idols are then enshrined following a strict religious ritual.
3) Chandan Yatra
This celebrates the Hindu year.
4) Snana Yatra
This celebrates Lord Jagannath’s ritual bath that is held on a full moon day in June.
5) Jhulana Yatra
Here images of the deities are carried out in a 21 day grand procession and are eventually cruised in elaborately decorated boats in the Narmada river.
6) Puri Beach festival
Held each year in November, this festival is marked by cuisine, orissan craft and lively cultural nights
Other Festivals
1) Tribal Fair
Takes place at the end of January
2) Shivaratri
It is essentially held at the Lingaraj temple and Hatakeswar temple but is celebrated through out Orissa. Takes place in February/March.
3) Ashokastami
Takes place during the months of April to May. Held at Lingaraj temple.
. 4) Panashankanti( Fire Walking)
Takes place on the first day of Baisakhi in different regions.
5) Dussehra and Diwali
It is celebrated during the months of October to November and is celebrated with elated enthusiasm. These festivals are celebrated all over India.
