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Home , Balasore, Balasore district, Bhadra (Krishna's wife), Biraja Temple, Boita Bandana, Chaiti ghoda

ART & Culture under RDC, CD, ******* The jurisdiction of Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Central Division, Cuttack is extended from to Mayurbhanj. The zone of Central Division is comprised of Ten districts such as , , Cuttack, , , , , Mayurbhanj, , Puri. This Central Division of RDC has been established on 1957. The Central Division is one of the three RDC Division of . Mostly coastal districts comes under this Division apart from Mayurbhanj, where tribal culture is predominantly found. A mixture of all culture were , , , , are being found in the areas of this Division. The District wise details of different culture found under this Division are as follows:

BALASORE

Balasore culture is a blend of traditional festivals, food, and music. The city offers a cosmopolitan and diverse lifestyle with a variety of food, entertainment, available in a form and abundance comparable to that in other cities. Balasore residents celebrate both Western and Indian festivals. , , Eid, , Navratri, , Dussera, Muharram, , , Rajaa and Maha Shivratri are some of the popular festivals in the city. The akhada Arts Festival during is a unique culture of Balasore. In , available art are 1) Palla 2) Daskathia 3) Chadheya Nata 4) Dadhi Nata 5) Sankirtana 6) Ghoda Nacha 7) Tribal 8) Manasa Pala 9) Sasthi Pala 10) Chhau 11) Pitula Nacha 12) Kela Keluni 13) .

(Ghoda Nacha, a form of Balasore) Balasore District is very much famous for its glorious history, art, culture and tradition. There are many beautiful temples and spots to be seen here at Balasore District. The people of the various religious beliefs residing here, viz. , , , etc, amply display the cultural genesis of Balasore District. The copper coins collected from Bhograi and the collection of statues of Lord Buddha from places like Avana, Kupari, Basta and magnifies the existence of Buddhism here. Buddhism is also popular during “Bhoumakar”. The statue of Lord Jaina at , Balasore and Avana hints about Jainism that is practiced in this District, which was also popular during 10th and 11th centuries.

Balasore District is highly famous for its Shaiva-”s and many a temples of Lord are seen at places throughout the district. The temples of Lord Shiva at Chandaneshwar, Baneshwar, Jhadeshwar, , Bhusandeshwar and Mani-Nageshwar are highly popular..

The District has also attained fame for its Saktipitha’s, found at “Bhudhar ” of Sajanagarh, “Danda ” of Khantapara and “” at Kharjureshwar. The Sun temples of Ayodhya, Seragarh, and Bardhanpur makes one to reminiscence about the images of the “Sun Devotee”. Vaishnab is popular here from the time of Gupta dynasty. temples at different places of the District and the Khirochora temple (built during the period of second Narasingha Dev) highlight the religious and cultural inclinations of the District”s people.

The two temples at the heart of Balasore and other Jagannath temples at Nilagiri, Mangalpur, Gud, Jaleswar, Kamarda, Deuligan and Baliapal unfolds the culture of this region. Many a Masjid, Church, Gurudwara (at ) etc. identifies the different and places of worship in this District,

Famous festivals like Makara , Sankranti, Mela, Durga Puja, , Ganesh Chaturthi, Puja, Laxmi Puja, Bishwakarma Puja, Chandan festival, Car festival, , Dola , Id, Moharrum, Christmas Day etc. are performed with much pump and fanfare by the people of this region. Balasore is famous for the most attractive and enjoyable game of “Akhada”, played during Durga Puja by Hindus & during Moharrum by Muslims. People of this District had played a dominant role in the language revolution, during the making of the separate Odisha province. The important newspapers “Bodhadayeenee” and “Balasore Bahika”, by the efforts of Vysa Kabi had sown the seeds of Oriya language revolution and for the development of Oriya literature.

Odisha’s cultural history will ever remember the contributions of Raja Baikuntha Dev, Vysa Kabi Fakir Mohan and Rai Bahadur Charan , for their efforts in making Odisha a separate province and in glorifying Oriya language and literature

BHADRAK

Bhadrak is famous for Bhadrakali Temple, which is also now a great occasion over the district.Aradi, , Dhamanagar, Kharida Binayakpur, Dhamara, and Guamala Nuasasan are some other places of tourist interest.

In Bhadark District available folk are Mugal Tamasa, Baunsa Rani, Chadheiya Dance, Kathi Pala, Sakhi Pala, Daskathia, Women pala.

(Artiest playing Moghal Tamsa)

Nalanga, a village in Gelpur Panchayat is famous for Lord Naleswar (Shiva). The Naleswar Temple is one of the oldest temples in Odisha. Nalanga is the birthplace of Lok- kabi Jagannath Pani, the teacher of Baishnav Pani.

Kharida Binayakpur is another village in Basudevpur constituency of this district is famous for Maa Ankudeswari Temple and its Moha vishuba Sankranti, Ravan Podi during Durga puja also famous in this village. Brahmangan, another village in Basudevpur constituency of this district is famous for its century-old Prasanna Khemeswar mahadeva temple and its melana during holi. Durga puja & Jagar also famous in this village.

Biggest Pond in Odisha and Famous Maa Patana Temple (Chhatrapada) is about 38.0 km (43 min) away from Bhadrak.

Banta, Basantia, blocks & villages respectively in which village various melas are organised in various days of the year out of which Panchuka Purnima which is celebrating in a very great fun of people in which boat is sailed in the big pond of Basantia village in the memories of Oriya , who was going to make their business in the near islands like and , for too many days.

The Dash family is in the village of Nuagaon near to the historical place ream is largest members of family in the district. This family gave many eminent personalities to the motherland. Late Panu Dash is one of them who martyred in Second Jaliwala Bag fight.

Pirahat, the place in Tihidi block is historical and cultural area which is famous for durga puja, kali puja,and other festivals. Durga Puja of the village Barabatia completing 400 years shows the greatness of place. Many freedom fighters are also born in pirahat. The gandhi statue at Pirhat kali padia is the emblem of freedom fighters.

CUTTACK

Inscriptions of Ananga lll refer the original city as Abhinab-Biranasi–Katak. Like the city of Baranasi, situated in between Baruna and , Cuttack is situated between the rivers and Kathajodi. Cuttack developed into a city out of five villages’ viz. Katak, Baranasi Katak, Sarangagarh Katak, Virata Katak and Katak. In the remote past, Cuttack was connected both by land routes and waterways with the renowned medieval ports like Chelitalo, Palur and Tamralipti.

Although politically Cuttack was not that significant before the 8th century A.D, still it was a flourishing mart of Eastern trade. However, Cuttack became a at the end of the 10th century A.D, during the reign of Somavanansi dynasty of Odisha.The importance of Cuttack rapidly increased after the occupation of Odisha by ChodaGangaDeva early in the 12th century A.D. ChodaGanga transferred his capital from to Katak, which was more centrally located. The famous was constructed in 1229 A.D.by the famous Ganga ruler AnangBhimaDeva lll.After the , Odisha passed into the hands of the Gajapati under whom Cuttack continued to be the capital of the state. The reference from Ain–i–Akbari clearly denotes that Cuttack was a flourishing capital city during the time of . On the eve of Afghan occupation, Cuttack was found to be a well guarded and heavily fortified capital.The Afghans however were not destined to rule Odisha and they were soon ousted by the Imperial Mughals. Cuttack continued to be the capital of Mughal Odisha and Abul Fazl clearly mentions that Mughal Governor was residing in that city.

During the rule of the Marathas, Cuttack greatly prospered as an emporium of trade and commerce and became a central market for exchange between the Marathas of and the English merchants of and Northern Circar.As per the treaty of , Cuttack came under British occupation in 1803 and the English set themselves to the task of consolidation and land revenue administration. As an after effect of the devastating famine of 1866, the government gave serious consideration to remove the isolation of Cuttack from the outside world and at the same time to prevent the recurrence of such calamities in future. Along with several water ways, roads were also opened during the later part of the 19th century to provide Cuttack with internal communication. Then towards the last decade of the 19th century, railway line of BNR connected Cuttack directly with Madras and Calcutta.

The first newspaper of Odisha, ‘Utkal Dipika’ was published by the Cuttack Printing Company due to the efforts of Gourisankar Ray in 1866. There was a great change in the educational scenario of Cuttack after the British occupation, with the establishment of the first Government English School in 1841. It slowly progressed as the Higher English School until the famine of 1886. Then the school was converted into a college with intermediate teaching in 1868, which in due course of time took the name of . Ravenshaw College was converted to on 15th November 2006. Odisha Medical was established in 1875, following the establishment of Cuttack General Hospital in 1874.

The Cuttack Municipality came into existence in 1876. In 1923, two new educational institutions opened in Cuttack. One was Cuttack Training College and the other was Odisha School of Engineering, which developed out of the old Survey School, separated from the Ravenshaw College in 1915 and from the Government workshop located at Jobra. During the freedom struggle, Swaraj of Sahebazada Bazar was the center of all nationalist activities. The Ashram is a place of for all Gandhites as Gandhiji indoctrinated the youths of Odisha with the of truth and non-violence.Cuttack has been enjoying all along the unique privilege of being the administrative and commercial nerve center of Odisha. It was the seat of the Commissioner of Odisha Division till 1936, and with the formation of the province of Odisha in that year; it was exalted to be the head quarter of the new province. The historic Lalbagh place which was being occupied by the Commissioner became the Governor House. Now it has been converted to children’s hospital called ‘Sishu Bhawan’. A stadium known as the Barabati Stadium has been built on the famous Killa near the Barabati Fort.

Observance of many socio-religious cultural festivals are common features of the City as well as the District.

Akshaya Trutiya: This is an important agricultural festival, falls in the month of Vaishakha and characterized by the ceremonial sowing of paddy in the field.The construction of Chariots for the Car festival and the Chandan starts in this auspicious day. In , the rural households observe Akshaya Trutiya very piously.

It is celebrated on the 2nd day of the month of Asadha. In Cuttack Town, the Car festival is being observed at Dolamundai Jagannath Temple, Chandini Chowk Jagannath Temple, Ranihat Jagannath Temple along with many other places of the District like at Jagannath Temple, Dampada, Athagarh Jagannath Temple etc. with huge gatherings.

Ganesh Puja, Saraswati Puja, Khudurukuni Osha, Shiv Ratri, Magha Saptami and Mangal bara Osha, Kumar Purnima are being observed by the people of the district.

Maa Katak Chandi and Chandi are famous Shaki in Cuttack City. The worship in Odisha goes back to the pre-Gupta period. It is said that the first mass celebration of Durgapuja was started observed in Cuttack City during the visit of Sri Chaitanya Dev in 15th Century CE. However a large nos of Durga, Siva,Parbati/Shakti idols are being built up by the artisans. The emersion ceremony of Durgapuja is very attractive, popular and enjoyable. This puja has been mingled with the Odisha’s socio-religious and cultural traditions . Since last 2 years Durga , Lord, Shiva and related idols are worshipped in 157 Puja Mandaps of the Cuttack City with much fanfare. The unique fact in emersion ceremony of Durga puja is that almost all the idols are taken in a procession with very much discipline with the spirit of brotherhood called “Bhai Chaara” among the Katakias( people of Cuttack).

(Tarakasi Medha of Durga Puja, Cuttack)

Kalipuja in Cuttack City is celebrated with immersion Utsav with much pomp and fanfare. This year Kalipuja along with Deepavali was observed on 19th October and Bhasani Utsav was held on 22nd October. About 75 idols of Maa Kali were worshipped in different Puja Mandapas in and around Cuttack City.

Maa Sholapuri Puja : Popularly known as Shola pua maa thakurani Puja is observed by the Telegu community in Cuttack city. This festival has been synchronised with Cuttack’s own traditions of worshiping mother goddess Durga.

Chhat Puja : Bihari community of Cuttack city celebrate the famous festival “Chhat” during the month of October. They go to the river bed to perform Puja to Sun God.

Kartik Purnima/ Purnima and Baliyatra : The Odia month of is the most auspicious month of the year. The fool moon day i;e has been celebrated at Bandana Divas since ancient times. The memories of Odisha Maritime activities are very much connected with the Kartik Purnima celebrations. The Sadhavas (Merchants) were beginning their voyage by boat from the Kalingan shores to Java, Borneo, , Ceylon like East Asian countries on Kartika Purnima. To commemorate the day, even today, early in the morning of kartik Purnima ,boats made out of Banana stem with the lamps and betel leaves and betel nuts are set a sail on the river or in the tank by the people of Odisha.

(Balijatra, Cuttack)

The famous Balijatra Cuttack starts on this auspicious day. It has now extended from Killa Fort ground to the Sand bed of Mahanadi(Tala Padia) Thousands of stalls are open to exhibit various products. National level Pallishree Mela, Gandhi Silpa Bazar are being organized and the Balijatra Cuttack Utsav continues for seven days starting from the day of Kartik Purnima.

Balijatra has now established a commercial approach like Puskar Mela of Rajashthan. Cultural programmes in Baishnab Pani Mandap of Balijatra ground are being organised during Baliyatra.It is mainly started from the day of Kartik Purnima,the end of kartik month and generally falls in the month of November. Besides local artists from the District and rural folk artists (lok Kala) of Zilla Kala Sanskruti Sangha, cultural troupes from Cultural Department of Odisha, different parts of Odisha as well as from other states and from abroad participate in the week long cultural programme being organised on the occasion of Balijatra.Balijatra is now adorned with the acclaim of State Mohatsav this year by Sri Nabin Pattnaik ,the Chief Minister of Odisha.

JAGATSINGHPUR

Jagatsinghpur is also famous for the and is well known as the cultural heart of Odisha. was a 15th-century poet and scholar of , best known for three Odia books — , Vilanka and Chandi Purana was born at Kanakavati Patana, known as Kanakapura, one of the Sidhikshetras in Jagatsinghpurdistrict. As an originator of Odia literature, his work has formed an enduring source of information for succeeding generations.The District is also famous for having theatre groupswhich keep the old tradition of live acting before a crowd. The groups have become the part of mainstream entertainment for people all over Odisha. Parbati Gannatya, Benirampur opera, Gouri Gananatya, Tulasi Gananatya, Durgashree Gananatya, Tarapur Opera and Trinath Gananatya are some of the famous theatre groups of .

Folk culture of Jagatsinghpur district are , Patua, Medha Nacha, Jodi Nagara, Women Pala, Kumar purnima Gita,

Lila, Kendera Gita. ( Traditional song: Kendera Gita)

The festivals of Jagatsinghpur are optimizing the cultural ethos of our rich heritage and thrilling tradition. The Kalinga Baliyatra, the Boitabandan utsav at and Chelitola awaken our glorious maritime invincibility of the remote past. Dasahera, Ganesh Puja, Makar Mela, Zilla Mahotsav, Book ,embellishes the cultural memory that is inherent in our local and Folk culture.

(Kalinga Balijatra at Paradip)

JAJPUR

Once was a great centre of art and culture in ancient Odisha. This district is declared as a heritage district ‘Biraja Khetra’ is one of the ancient cities of Odisha rich in archaeological remains .It is reputed to be one of the important Khetras in the state. The ancient monuments like , Lord Baraha Temple, Daswasamedhaghat, Jagannath Temple, Trilochaneswar Temple, Ratnagiri, and Udayagiri and so many other places of historical importance add tourist attraction. is also known as Navigaya. People all over the state and neighboring state come here to offer SRADDHA on the Bank of River Baitarini. A land of rich and diverse artistic achievement, Jajpur’s art and culture are the product of a long historical process in which the spiritual, philosophical and the humane dimensions have merged to yield the finest effects of culture and civilized life. The cultural heritage of Jajpur is reflected in its vibrant Art forms

This District have beautiful Folk dance and art i.e. Mugal Tamasa, Kathi Pala, Kandhei Nacha, Dasakathi, Women Pala, Jhipa nacha, Folk Opera. The district has village tradition of painting, architectures, sculpture, and handicrafts. The Jajpur school of painting has three streams such as Jhoti, Chita and Muruja.

(Kandhei nacha)

Coming to fasts and festivals, in the month of Margasira women folk worship the Goddess Laxmi. It is the harvest season when grain is thrashed and stored. During this auspicious occasion the mud walls and floors are decorated with murals in white paste. These are called Jhoti or Chita and are drown not merely with the intention of decorating the house, but to establish a relationship between the mystical and the material, and thus being highly symbolical and meaningful. Folk painting in the tradition survives till today in all its pristine freshness. Throughout the year the village woman perform several rituals for the fulfillment of their desires.

Muruja is drawn on the floor with powders of different hues. white powder is obtained from the grinding of stone. Green powder is obtained from dry leaves, black from burnt shells, yellow is obtained from petals of marigold flowers or and red from red clay or bricks. Muruja is generally drown during rituals in the form of Mandala. In the holy month of ‘Kartika’ women observe, penance and draw muruja designs near the Tulasi Chaura Odiya one of the oldest languages in the district and also the predominant language spoken by the people. However 10 percent of the inhabitants speak and at least 9 to 10 percent communicate with some variations having languages.

From time immemorial Jajpur has remained the epi- centre of cultural awakening. Besides that the district has immense contribution to Odia literature. The prominent literary figures of the state like Abimanyu Samanta Singhar, Manjula Krushna Prasad Basu, Braja Sundar, Birupakshya Kar, dramatist Kamapal Mishra are son of the soil. Other prominent writer include Upendra Tripathy(children’s literature),essayist Baikuntha Nath Rath, and fiction writer Govind Das.

KENDRAPARA

Akshaya Tritiya is widely celebrated in . is also known as Akha and it falls on the third lunar day of Shukla of Vaishakha month.The birth of Lord Parshuram the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is also celebrated on this day. On this very day, Veda Vyas began to write the Mahabharta.

Kendrapara being an agrarian district , on this day farmers started sowing seeds with much puja performing on the fields.Akshaya means immortal or something that is indestructible and Tritaya means third lunar day. So anything that we do on Akshaya Tritiya grows with time and cannot be destroyed. Hence it is recommended to begin auspicious things.

Chandan Jatra of Shri Shri Baldeb jew celebrated for 21 days in Kendrapara. To escape from extreme heat Shri Jew move to the Chandan pond . Except Shri Shri Baldevjew , Chanadn Yatra also celebrated in temples like Shri Baraha Jew at Aul, Shri Dadhibaman Jew at Demal , Shri Baladeb jew at Righagarh , Shri Shri Madam Mohan Jew at Nikirai and Shri Shri Dadhibaman Jew at Asureswar.

Jyesta Purnima is known as ‘Debasnan Purnima’ . This festival is celebrated at Shri Baldevjew Temple and also other temples in the district. Shri come to the ‘Snan Madap’ in ‘Pahandi’ . Sacred water of 108 pots used for bathing of the Deities on this day. At night Shri Mahaprabhu returned to the ‘Anasar Home’.

Jhulan jatra is celebrated in the month of ‘Bhadra”. This festival is celebrated in almost all temples of kendrapara District. Except Shri BaldebJew , Jhulan jatra celebrated at Aul ,Shri Gopal Jew Temple is famous in the state. This festival is celebrated from the year 1660 by the King of Aul Shri Nilakantha Deb. Jhulan jatra is celebrated for six days in Shri Baldevjew Temple and for ten days at Aul.

Ratha jatra festival celebrated on ‘Asadha Sukla Dwitiya’ is the mass festival of Odisha. Based on the world famous car festival at Puri , Jatra of Shri Baldeb jew also celebrated at Kendrapara for 9 days. People from all ways of life participated in this festival with much enthusiasm. ‘ Taladhwaja ” is the name the Ratha and it is worlds highest Ratha. The height of ‘Brahma Taladhwaja ‘ is 65 feet and 1123 pieces of wood used for this Ratha.

After Ratha jatra , Gajalaxmi Puja is the second mass festival celebrated by the people of Kendrapara. GajaLaxmi Puja was started in the 1922-23 in Kendrapara. On the arrival of

‘Badababaji ‘ Shri Shri Radharaman Deb to

Kendrapara this festival was first celebrated in front of ‘Bada Kotha’. Gaja Laxmi Puja was first started in present Kendrapara in 1928 at Old Bust Stand. From that day Gaja Laxmi

Puja being celebrated for 9 decades in Kendrapara. Starting from ‘Kumar Purnima’ this festival is celebrated for 7 days. Lakhs of people used to participate in this festival , (Gajalaxmi Puja at Kendrapara) which is concluded on Immersion celebration.

Dola jatra is celebrated as ” Panchu Dola” in Kendrapara. Holi festival is celebrated after 5 days from Dola Purnima.

This festival is celebrated at village ‘Olakana’ situated at the extreme end of Derabish Block. ‘Olakana Melana’ was started by King of Aul Nilakantha Deb and was made famous by Brajasundar Deb. More that 150 Bimans from different temples , Maths, gathered here at the melana ground. Main attraction at the “Melana’ is Shri Shri Bhadeswar Mahadeb of . Olakana Mela is celebrated on 14th day.

KHORDHA

The population of Khurda consists mostly of Oriya & Telugu speaking people. Others like Muslims, Marwaris, Gujuratis, and are also present in good numbers. There are a number of Temples, Masjids & Churches present here. This District is also the home of highest number of Anglo Indian people in Odisha. Khurda District is famous for its celebrations of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival (in Jatni), Khurda Mohotsav (in Khurda Town) and Laxmi Puja. Eid ul Fitr & Christmas are also celebrated here with much gaiety, as also the other major Hindu festivals like Diwali and Holi. The firecracker shops in are very famous, drawing a large number of buyers from nearby places like Puri, Cuttack, etc. during Diwali. Padanpur is a village also famous for its crackers. Several weeklong festivals for the goddess Bhgabati are celebrated here.

On the last day of the festival, a procession is carried out in public, followed by a carnival depicting stories from Hindu mythologies like

Ramayana, Mahabharata etc.Each community observes its festivals and also indulges in other communities celebrations, thus building communal harmony. Kaipadar is a religious place to which people of all faiths visit for divine . Paika Nrutya dance of this (Paika Dance)

District is a form of battle dance practiced with great enthusiasm by different groups in the villages during Dussera. The word Paika is derived from the word Padatika, literallys meaning infantry. This dance is more like a clarion call urging the dancers to get ready for a fiery battle ahead., nagara, and drums are the musical

instruments which accompanies this dance. ( Dance)

MAYURBHANJ

The district has many tribal cultures like Santali culture, Ho dance and Mage Porob of Ho tribe and bhumij cultures. According to 2011 Census 83.86 % people are Hindus, 1.34 % are Muslims, 0.60 % are Christians, 0.03 % are Sikhs. Hinduism being the most followed there are many temples found in the district some of which have ancient connections.

Culture is deep rooted in the lives of the people of . The vibrancy and richness of the cultural heritage of this District, undoubtedly, makes Mayurbhanj one of the most noteworthy places on the map of Odisha. Makar Parva and Karama Parva are the two well known festivals of Mayurbhanj District which are celebrated with great pomp and show. Mayurbhanj District unfolds an enormous panorama of nature`s beauty. In the midst of the surroundings evolved a beautiful yet virile dance form, known as the famous . This dance form has gained worldwide fame and recognition. It is noted for its beauty, vigour and marvel of the art. Jhumar, the popular traditional folk song, is inextricably interlinked with Mayurbhanj District. These songs depict the thought of the populace festivities, marriages other social functions, sorrows and happiness.

Amid the surroundings evolved a beautiful yet virile dance form, known as famous CHHAU DANCE. The Chhau performers of use Mask while dancing and that mask is told as “Chhau”. In Mayurbhanj, verities of folk dance are available, i.e. Jhumair,Chhau dance, Kathi Nacha,Santali DanceWomen Pala,Sakhi Nacha,Tuila dance,Kharia Dance,.

(Chhau Dance)

The prevalence of Jhumar dates back to 18th century . A Nachuni group was introduced which consisted of eight to ten people, including one Rasika (the leader of the group) one Nachuni and instrument players for , HARMONIUM, , CHAD-CHADI, MAADAL, MAHURI etc. 18th century downwards Raja (King), Maharaja (Emperor), Zamindar (Land Lord) noticed Jhumar and they became so charmed by the language, sweet tunes and dance that they could not but patronize it which helped remove the financial constraint of Nachuni Groups which further paved its way to earn recognition in upper level of society. There are two types of in Jhumar dance. When a single lady dances, it is called ‘NACHUNI’ and when dance is performed in a group it is called ‘PANTA DANCE’. Jhumar songs are tune based. Its main element is tune, that means SWARA PRADHAN and its rhythm is typical of its own. Lyrics are descriptive mainly of Radha ’s love.

(Jhumar Dance)

Lord Jagannath is worshipped as Shri Shri Haribaldev Mahaprabhu at . Car festival is celebrated on the day after the day on which Car festival is celebrated at Puri. The three deities come to the Radhamohan Temple (Mausimaa Mandir) during car festival which lasts for two days. The speciality of the Baripada Car festival is that only ladies can pull the chariot of Maa .

Santal is the largest tribes of the district scattered all over Mayurbhanj. Their main occupation is agriculture and agricultural labourer. They are very conscious about their identity and culture. The Kolha tribes has their own tribal dialect which is used to converse with the people of this community.

(Santal Dance)

Nayagarh

The culture of Nayagarh is a composite culture of heterogeneous faith, with the presence of a good number of Semitic and Islamic followers. The aboriginal ‘Savaras’ and Kandhas are the indigenous people of . The came later. The are mostly the outsiders, invited by the Khatriya rulers to be engaged as priests in the temples and for other holy rites. The archeological remains with their inscriptions, temples, churches, mosques, forts, folk dances, art, sculptures, handicrafts and festivals of this district displays its rich cultural heritage. The Somanth Temple complex at Govindpur near Nayagarh has also stone inscriptions.

The right side entrance door of Kaunri Thakurani and the front entrance door (inner side) of Beleswar Mahadev, have two inscriptions which are yet to be deciphered. Another inscription is found on the foot–post of Goddess in Raghunath Temple at that reads “Shakabda Saramangalya Rutusya Odanayak”. Buddhist shrine at Anala Patta, Nilamadhaba Temple at , Raghunath and Jagannath Temples throughout the District and other Vaishnavite, Shaiva and Shakta shrines are also the symbols of the art and culture of the District. Also are present many forts and buildings in this District that symbolizes its rich art and cultural heritage. The important folk dances of this District are Ghantakalasa (Similisahi, Nayagarh), Danda Nrutya (), Dhena Koila (Similisahi), (), Singi Baza (Daspalla), Dhumpa (Khandapara), Ghuduki (Ranapur), Dholamahuri (Lathipada), Paika Akhada (Lathipada, Olasa), Adivasi– (Banigochha) and Janu–Ghanta. Kantilo is famous for its brass works. It is to mention here that, Millennium Talent Cup, the first of this kind in the world has the distinction of becoming the world’s tallest cup and was made by the Kansaries of Kantilo for Odisha Institute of Educational Research, . Kantilo is also famous for brass works.

(Daskatia Palla)

Odagaon is famous for stone sculptures. It may be noted here that all most all the temple architects of Odisha hail from Odagaon. Govind Chandra Sur Deo of Nayagarh was an eminent mural painter. All the mural and wall paintings in the temple of Lord Jagannath at Nayagarh is his works. Khandapara is famous for jute handicrafts and Situlia communities of Gania are eminent sculptors of Terracotta. Ravanapodi at Daspalla, festival of Dakhinakali at Nayagarh, Shivaratri of Ladukeswar at Saranakul, Sriram Navamai at Odagaon, Pana Sanakranti, , Kantilo Mela and Car Festival at Nayagarh, Khandapara, Daspalla and Ranpur are the important festivals celebrated in this District. It needs special mention here that the Chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra of Ranpur are 2nd in height only next to the Chariots of Puri Car Festival.

Puri

Cultural activities, including the annual religious festivals, in Puri are: The Puri Beach Festival held from 5 to 9 November every year, and the Shreekshetra Utsav held from 20 December to 2 January every year. The cultural programmes include unique sand art, display of local and traditional handicrafts and food festival. In addition, cultural programmes are held for two hours on every second Saturday of the month at the district Collector's Conference Hall near Sea Beach Police Station. dance, and folk dances are part of this event. Odissi dance is the cultural heritage of Puri. This dance form originated in Puri from the dances performed by (Maharis) attached to the Jagannatha Temple who performed dances in the Nata mandapa of the temple to please the deities. Though the practice has been discontinued, the dance form has become modern and classical and is widely popular; many of the Odissi virtuoso artists and (teachers) are from Puri.[88] Some of the notable Odissi dancers are , , , and .

Puri is one of the fascinating littoral districts of Odisha. The cultural heritage of Puri with its long recorded history beginning from the third century B.C., The monuments and religious sanctity, way of life of the people with their rich tradition possess emphatically to be the cultural heart of Odisha. Puri is considered to be a cultural capital of Odisha.

The district has a conglomeration of different religions, sects and faiths in course of its history. Majority of the people are Hindus. The other important communities are Muslims, Sikhs, Jains, Christians and indigenous groups are found in the district. The Hindu monuments of various sectors like , , Sakti cult, , Mahabir etc. are found. Similarly Muslim Mosques, Christian Churches are also noticed here.

It is said that 13 festivals are celebrated in calendar year relating to Lord Jagannath. Some important festivals related of Lord Jagannath. Some of them are Car Festival (), , Sitala Sasthi, Gosani Yatra, Dasahara, Sahi Yatra for seven days from , festival, Puri Beach Festival, Sri Ksetra Mohotsav, Gundicha Utsav.

(Ratha Yatra)

The famous Nata mandiras, beautifully embellished with figures in various poses of dance and musicians handling a variety of instruments are witness to this integral role in temple life. The devadashis were used to dance for

Jagannath with the songs from Jayadev's Gita . After the abolition of the devadasi system, Odissi dance became the most developed classical dance form of the state. (Odissi Dance) Padmashri Kelucharan Mahapatra is a legend of the particular dance form. Orissi music, own its origin from Puri. It is a separate form of song with its own importance and is quite different from Hindusthani and Karnataki music.

Limb linking service of the Lord Jagannath, Who is very much fond of music and song is the action and pride of Mahari tradition. Mahari tradition of the Sri Mandira is the

Parijata flower of art and history of Utkal. It also enlightened the national culture by its fragrance and the touch. It has made the art of Utkal glorious. Mahari tradition is the same and one union of Lord Jagannath and Nari

Mahari. coming from the Nata temple of the temple has reached and extended to the stage and shastriya Odissi dance. (Mahari Dance)

Gotipua is a fascinating folk dance of Puri Where boys below 14 years clad in female dress dance to the tune at the music. The acrobatic poses attached to the dance enthralls the audience. This dance is becoming very popular. The Gotipua team of has earned much reputation.

(Gotipua Dance) Here the dancer put a mask on his head and dance to the rhythm of the music. The medhas of Ravan, Trisira, Navasira etc. and Naga dance one very popular in Puri towns. During Rama Navami days this dance is enacted at the streets of Puri town for seven days.

Ghoda nacha, Dhuduki Nacha, Jatra, Pala, Daskathia, Bhalu Nacha, Mankada Nacha and Navrang are some other folk dances prevalent in the district.

As on 26.11.2019

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