Makara Sankranti falls on 14th January (Wednesday), marking the sun’s transition to Capricorn. People take holy baths and offer prayers to Sun God.
Vasant Panchami/Saraswati Puja is on 23rd January (Friday), when students worship Goddess Saraswati for knowledge and wisdom.
Maha Shivaratri comes on 15th February (Sunday), dedicated to Lord Shiva with night-long prayers and fasting.
Dola Purnima/Holi will be celebrated on 4th March (Wednesday) with colors and joy. The previous day 3rd March is Holika Dahan.
Rama Navami is on 27th March (Friday), celebrating Lord Rama’s birth with special prayers and bhajans.
Maha Vishuba Sankranti or Pana Sankranti on 14th April (Tuesday) marks the Odia New Year, celebrated with special Pana drink.
Akshaya Tritiya falls on 19th April (Sunday), considered highly auspicious for new beginnings and purchases.
Buddha Purnima is on 1st May (Friday), celebrating Lord Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and nirvana.
Raja Parba is a unique 3-day festival from 14th to 16th June celebrating womanhood and Mother Earth.
Jagannath Ratha Yatra on 16th July (Thursday) is the biggest festival when deities travel in grand chariots from Puri temple to Gundicha temple.
Raksha Bandhan falls on 28th August (Friday), when sisters tie sacred thread on brothers’ wrists.
Janmashtami is on 4th September (Friday), celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth with midnight celebrations.
Nuakhai on 16th September (Wednesday) is an agrarian festival celebrating new rice harvest, mainly in Western Odisha.
Durga Puja from 17th to 20th October is the grandest festival with elaborate pandals and cultural programs. Maha Ashtami is on 18th, Maha Navami on 19th, and Vijaya Dashami on 20th.
Kumar Purnima on 26th October (Monday) is celebrated by unmarried girls worshipping the moon for good husbands.
Diwali/Lakshmi Puja is on 8th November (Sunday), the festival of lights celebrating Goddess Lakshmi.
Kartika Purnima on 24th November (Tuesday) is sacred for lighting lamps and Boita Bandana ritual where people float miniature boats.
