Orissa Temple Festivals are compelling in their raw energy, spiritual dedication and a splash of colours juxtaposed with rhythms that differ from district to district and tribe to tribe. The Festivals reflect the religious flow of all origin and purposes of the Oriya people. They unite in the festivals and fairs in a harmony of dances, music and Jatras. Enamoured with temples across its landscape, Orissa boasts a number of temple festivals especially related to Lord Jagannath at Puri including the world famous "Rath Yatra" or the Chariot Festival.Chandan Jatra
Chandan Jatra or Gandhalepana Jatra is a popular Temple Festival of Orissa that is celebrated from Baisakh Shukla Tritiya to Jyestha Shukla Astami. This festival is a cruise in Narendra Pond and carries different reflections of Sri Jagannath, namely Madanmohon, Rama Krishna, Lakshmi, Saraswati and five Shivas, i.e. Sri Lokanath, Sri Yameshwar, Sri Kapalamachana, Sri Markandaeswara, Sri Nilakantheswar in different palanquins. At the Chandan Mandap inside the pond the deities engage themselves in water sport in the specially arranged vats of sandal paste water.
Niladri Mahodaya
This is observed on the 8th day of the bright fortnight of Baisakh. One hundred and eight pots of sacred water are offered to the deities and other rituals are performed. "Nursingha Janma" is celebrated and on the 14th day of the bright fortnight the icon of Nursingha is taken in a procession to Jagannathaballava and a ceremony is performed.
Sital Sasthi
Sital Sasthi is another Orissa Temple Festival which is observed on the 16th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha. The images of Dolagovinda and Pancha Pandav Shiva are taken to the temple of Lakshmi where a ceremony is performed. "Rajendravisheka" is the 10th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha. Lord Jagannath has his "Avishek" and the suggestion of his marriage with Rukmini is raised. On the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Jyestha, "Rukmini Harana" is celebrated when the representative deity of Jagannath, elopes Rukmini from the temple of Shri Bimala while she is offering worship and then the marriage is performed.
