FAIRS AND FESTIVALS OF GANJAM

A fine blending of different shades of culture is noticeable in the festivals observed through out the district. Almost all the festivals are associated with the underlying principle of the anthropomorphizing of the divinity and the ascriptions of human conduct and affection to it. The Ganjam District is not only an ideal choice for monuments, Beaches, Waterfalls and scenic beauties, but also for her colourful fairs and festivals. It is generally believed that in twelve months of year there are more or less thirteen festivals, but in actual practice they number many more. These festivals may broadly be divided into two categories, such as Domestic festival observed in each household and public festivals and fairs where people congregate in large number on the auspicious Day. A number of fairs and festivals are observed in the District notable among which are enumerated below. 

DOLA YATRA:-

Dola, popularly knows as Holi in the most popular and colourful festival of the District, celebrated on Phalgun purnima and a day succeeding. Based on the romantic plays of Radha and Krishna, people converge on the streets with their idols on gaily decorated "VIMANS" singing devotional songs in their praise and throwing colour powders (PHAGU) and water on each others. This yatra is widely celebrated throughout the District with much pomp and splender. The Ganjam  (Old Ganja) which was the ancient Headquarters of the District is famous for Dola Yatra. Here the people celebrated this festival 3 days before Dola Purnima, where we find different kind of highly decorated  "Medhas", which enhances the beauty of the festival.

TARA TARINI  MELA:-

  The Tara Tarini Mela of Ganjam is not only famous in the District but also throughout the state. The legendary information on Tara Tarini has been given in the chapter "TOURIST SPOT"  for reference of the visitors.  The Tara Tarini Mela  one of the biggest fairs of Orissa, which takes place on each Tuesday in the month of Chaitra i.e., from around mid March to mid-April at Tara Tarini pitha, which is at a distance of 30 Kms from Berhampur. Thousands of devotees come from every corner  of the district as well as out side the State in order to have darshan of Goddess Tara Tarini and perform their Manasika after fulfillment of their desire. A grand congregation takes place on the 3rd Tuesday of the month.

 THAKURANI YATRA:-

 Thakurani Yatra is considered the most typical and famous amongst all the folk festival celebrated in the District. Basically, this is the out come of most flourished sakti cult of Orissa in this particular region. Sakti, as we under stand, means  "Power" , which is expressed through different phenomena.  Goddess sakti in her many aspects represents various phenomena, as fro instance, Sareswati represents Learning and wisdom Laxmi represents wealth and prosperity, durga the benevolent aspect, Kali the Malevolent aspect and so on . sakti cult is so popular in Ganjam District that every village even individual household worships here either as presiding deity or as the protectress. That is why, the Thakuranis of Ganjam district are so popularly worshiped through out the district with devotion and faith. They are four sisters named as  Thakurani of Berhampur,Khambeswari of Aska, Buirani of Kabnisuryanagar, and Ram Chandi of Purushottampur. In the District Headquarters of Chatrapur, yatra of Devi "Ramayanama" is observed, like wise at so many places of Ganjam District the thakurani yatras are observed. The yatra takes place bye-yearly at Berhampur and Chatrapur on turn  wise, once in 12 years at Kabisuryanagar and also like other areas of the District.  Usually the Thajurani yatra is observed in the mongh of May. The priest Desha Behera invites Goddess Thakurani as his daughter, who comes in the form of flower  which palced in a pot and being palced on the head of a woman and then procession moves from street to street in the evening of every day, which is accompanied by musical instrumebnts of trumpet, Kahali, ghanta, Sankha and different kinds of folk dances, this processgo on for five, seven, fifteen and 21 days, as per the willingness and ability of the people.

DURGA PUJA:

Dasahara (Ten days worship) is held on the 10th of Aswin (September/ October) in honours of Goddess Durga, the consort of lord Siva, Durga Puja symbolized the commemoration of Good over evil. It is celebrated with great pomp and splendour through out district. Exguisite image of Gods and Goddess, wigh artistic decorations are worshiped for four days, on the day succeeding "Vijaya Dashami" the last day of Durga puja, the images are taken in a spectacular procession for immersion in the river or pond.

 SIVA RATRI

  This is by far the most important festival, which usually falls during the month of February and March. The proxy is aken round the temple and the deity remains awake throughout the night. Devotees keep fast and perform Puja throughout the night and keep a vigil to witness the Sacred Lamp on the temple top.  The light symbnolises the eternal light of wisdom to be shown by god to the erring humanity. The devotees break their fast after the function is over.

 RATHA YATRA

 Ratha Yatra known as  "Car Festival" is the grandestof all festivals in Orissa, the Ratha Yatra in puri sis world famous, which draws the attention of crores of devotees from every corner of the World. The same is also celebrated in different corners of the District wich much pulp and splendour. It is the sacred journey of Lord Jagannath iwht brother "Balabhadra" and sister "Subhadra"  from  the main Jagannath Temple to another shrine called  "Gundicha Mandir" for nine days in three gorgeously decorated chariot. The car festival is usually held in the month of June/July every year, the return journey is also celebrated on the 9th day in the traditional manner and the three deities are brought back to the main temple from Gundicha  mandir on the same three chariots, thousand and thousands of devotees throng on that dayat different places to pull the sacred chariot. This is the most important festival of Lord Jagannath at puri and also one of the biggest festivals  of India . The festival is held in different parts of Orissa, wherever there are temples of Lord Jagannath.

MAKAR SANKRANTI

Makar Sankranti or Makar Mela is celebrated with gusto in mid-January, when the sun enters the orbit of capricon, sun God is worshipped with great fervour and enthusiasm by one and all. The Sun-God returns northward from the tropic of capricon towards the equator, as a result day time rises and the night time reduces from this Sankranti, so this Sankranti is also called "Uttaryan Sankranti" also. People prepare "makar Chaula" with new cropped rice, banana, cheese, milk, coconut and the juice of sugercane and offer them to Sun God, it is mostly celebrated by Telugu people in the District, they offer pinda to their forefathers on the day, the Makar Sankrinti is observed for a day, no doubt, but the yatra or the fair lasts for two to three days.

MANABASA GURUBARA

It is one of the most important functions and rituals of Oriya family, which is usually observed on all Thursdays of Margasira. Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped by the housewives of the families. On the first Thursday of Margasira, a small measuring basket of cultivator called as  "MANA"  filled with new cropped white coloured paddy (Sukla Dhana) is placed in the shines of the house. A bunch of paddy being canned is also placed on it and is decorated with new clothes, ornaments and flowers. The floor of the pucca house is washed and the thatched house is wiped out by car dung and is decorated with different types of Jhuti (Chitta) like Lotus flower, feet of Goddess Laxmi Purana is recited, this festival is also observed thought out the State in all Oriya families with top sincerity and religious belief.

DANDA YATRA

Danda yatra of Ganjam is considered to be the most ancient traditional form of worship. Galleri and Baibelli villages of Ghumsar of Ganjam District are said to have been the original palces of "Danda Yatra". It is a ritual performances held usually in the mongh Chaitra for 13 to 21` days. The participants of Danda Nata are usually called "Dandua" and the chief as "Pata Dandua" who move from village to village to perform the same. It is dedicated ot Lord Siva  and Goddess Kali, whi is represented by a Danda or a Pole, decorated with diffeent coloured clothes. The participant perform Pani Danda , Agni Danda, Dhuli Danda etc, which are dthe main attractions of the said performance. The closing ceremony is known as "Meruyatra", which observes on the day of Maha Vishuba Sankranti of Chaitra.

To bring the fold dances and music of the district limelight, the District Cultural festival is orgainised every year followed by exhibitions, competitions, adventure sports etc. during this period the town wears a new look and the entire atmosphere is surcharged with the beating a Dhol and sweet melody of sehnais. Besides, the Gopalpur Sea-Beach is wonderful beach resort for leisure tourists, the new Beach festival known as "Gopalpur Beach Festival "held in every year has come to limelight in recent times.

Besides these, there are many other festivals of local importance in which thousands of people participate, in the forest areas there are special festivals of the Adivasis which commence from spring.