Festivals - Carnival of Sambalpuri tradition and culture

Sambalpuri Dance

A festival is a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something, an occasion of celebrating a day having a religious significance. Sambalpuri festivals are celebrated by the people to pay homage to the age -old heritage of Sambalpur.
The Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav is organised which celebrates the culture and the age-old tradition of the place and its art and music. The festival gives a look into the unique social tradition and culture of the people of Sambalpur.

Sitalsasthi

The Sitalsasthi Carnival celebrates the marriage between Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, which has been held in Sambalpur for centuries. The festival is observed in the month of June with pomp and ceremony at Sambalpur and is extended for a week. People from around the state as well as outside participate in the festivities. Additionally, there are quite a few regional festivals including Naukhai, Bhai-juntia, Puo-juntia, which are celebrated in the city.

Naukhai is the most important social festival of Sambalpur. Generally it takes place during the month of August and September. Preliminary preparation of the festival starts 15 days before the occasion. The first grains of the paddy crop, cooked into various dishes are offered to the deities. There after the eldest member of the family distributes new rice to the junior members of the family. All the household articles are cleaned. People greet each other. It is a community festival celebrated by every Hindu family low and high.
Bhaijiuntia is mostly known only in the region of Western Odisha. Bhaijiutia festival is celebrated on the Mahastami Day of Durga Puja. It is a total fasting undertaken by women for the whole day and night to seek Goddess Durga’s blessing for the long life of their bhais (brothers).
Puajiuntia is another fasting Puja of similar austerity for women of the area. The Puajiuntia festival is observed by mothers to invoke the grace of Lord Dutibahana for the long life and prosperity of their sons.
Besides the above listed festivals, other religious festivals are observed. These include Shiva Ratri, Dola Jatra, Durga Puja, Janmastami, Dipavali, Ganesh Puja and Saraswati Puja.

Shiva Ratri Mela at Huma attracts a large numbers of devotees. Ratha Jatra is held at almost all central places of Sambalpur. On the occasion of Makara Jatra, a fair is held at Themra in Sambalpur.



 
The most popular festivals celebrated by Muslims are Id-Ul-Fitre, Id-Ul-Juha and Muharram. The Sikhs also celebrate the Birth Day of Guru Nanak.