Odisha Holidays 2020

Odisha holidays 2020 tell you about festivals and holidays observed in the state of Odisha. Read the list of Odia holidays for 2020 and find out more about the rituals followed, and cultural significance.

Odisha is surrounded by its neighbouring states West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh, and their influence is reflected in their culture and festivity. The state of Odisha celebrates such religious, cultural and public holidays with great gusto, and the level of enthusiasm all throughout the state is infectious. Devotees in big numbers gather at religious locations to perform the rituals and take an active part in fairs, processions and celebrations. Go through the list of Odisha festivals prominently observed in the state and find out more about them as per Odisha Govt Holiday List 2020.

Read: Horoscope 2020 Predictions

Odisha Holidays 2020

Date & Day Holiday
January 23, Thursday Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Jayanti
January 26, Sunday Republic Day
January 30, Thursday Vasant Panchami
February 21, Friday Maha Shivratri
March 5, Thursday Panchayatiraj Divas
March 10, Tuesday Holi or Dol Jatra
April 1, Wednesday Bank Holiday, Utkal Divas
April 2, Thursday Ram Navmi
April 10, Friday Good Friday
April 14, Tuesday Ambedakar Jayanti, Maha Vishuba Sankranti
May 24, Sunday Eid al-Fitr
June 14, Sunday Pahili Raja
June 15, Monday Raja Sankranti
June 23, Tuesday Rathayatra
July 31, Friday Bakrid / Eid al Adha
August 3, Monday Rakhi, Jhulan Purnima
August 11, Tuesday Janmashtami
August 15, Saturday Independence Day
August 20-21, Thursday-Friday Muharram Begins
August 22, Saturday Ganesh Chaturthi
August 23, Sunday Nuakhai
September 17, Thursday Mahalaya
October 2, Friday Gandhi Jayanti
October 23, Friday Maha Saptami
October 24, Saturday Maha Ashtami
October 25, Sunday Maha Navami
October 26, Monday Vijaya Dashami, Durga Puja
October 30, Friday Eid e Milad
October 31, Saturday Lakshmi Puja
November 14, Saturday Diwali or Kali Puja
November 30, Monday Guru Nanak Jayanti
December 25, Friday Christmas Day

Note: These dates are subjected to change as per astrological calculations as well as government announcement. Visit this page and stay updated with the latest date and time.

Odisha Holidays 2020

Below given is a list of holidays and festivals celebrated in Odisha and find out more about their occurrence and rituals.

Maha Vishuba Sankranti

As per Odisha Govt Holiday List 2020, Maha Vishuba Sankranti also goes by the name Pana Sankranti and marks the commencement of the Traditional New Year for Hindus and Buddhists living in Odisha. This day is observed according to the Luni-Solar Calendar and similar to Vaisakhi in Central & North India, Pohela Boishakh in Bengal, and so on. On this day, devotees take a holy bath, venerate the deities by visiting the Shiva, Hanuman or Shakti temples and visit the melas and fairs. Pana, a sweet drink made from mango, yoghurt, milk and coconut is shared.

Raja Sankranti

Raja Sankranti, also known as Mithuna Sankranti or Rawjaw Parba, stretches up to three days, where the second day marks the initiation of the solar month Mithuna. As per mythological legends, Mother nature undergoes the natural process of menstruation during the first three days, after which the Vasumati Snana or ceremonial purifying bath is carried out.

Jhulan Purnima

Jhulan Yatra is known as the Festival of Swings and honours the eternal love of Radha and Lord Krishna. This festival falls during the month of Shravana on Purnima and is one of the major festivals for Vaishnava sect. On this day, devotees visit the pandals, decorate their houses, perform cultural dance and swing on the swings. Also, the idols of Radha-Krishna are placed on a decorated swing and songs glorifying their love are sung.

Nuakhai

Nuakhai is observed one day after Ganesh Chaturthi and celebrates the new paddy harvest. It is celebrated with high passion in the cultural region of Sambalpuri. On this day, auspicious muhurat is calculated and grains from the new harvest are offered to the local deities. Greetings ("Nuakhai Juhar") are said to each other, and folk dance and songs are performed at the event "Nuakhai Bhetghat"

Diwali or Deepabali

Deepabali, famously called as Diwali all over the world, falls on the day of Amavasya during the month of Kartik and is celebrated with equal fervour. On this day, people clean their houses, prepare sweets, light their houses with diyas and lamps and get together to spend beautiful moments. Natives wish each other good luck and recite the Badabadua verse while burning jute stalks and remembering their ancestors. Here is the verse:

ବଡ଼ ବଡୁଆ ହୋ, ଅନ୍ଧାରରେ ଆସ, ଆଲୁଅରେ ଯାଅ,
ମହାପ୍ରସାଦ ଖାଇ ବାଇଶି ପାହାଚ ରେ ଗଡ଼ା ଗଡୁଥାଅ।
Bada badua ho, andhara re aasa, alua re jaa.
Mahaprasad khai Baaisi pahaacha re gada gadu thaa.

Its english translation is also provided:

O forefathers, come to us in this dark evening, we light your way to heaven.

Having Mahaprasad, May you attain salvation on the 22 steps of the Jagannath temple of Puri.

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