Chaiti Mangalabar or Chaiti Mangalabara Osha is the vow observed on Tuesdays during Chait mahina or Chaitra month in Orissa. This brata is dedicated to Goddess Mangala. In 2010, Chaiti Mangalavara vrata dates are – March 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th. Mangala Devi Puja or Shakti Puja is performed during the brata.
The legend or Chait Mangalvar vrat katha is associated with a woman belonging to scavenger community known as Chaiti. She used to offer wine, meat, and eggs to Mangala. She once saw inauspicious face of the Raja of that kingdom and expressed her fear in disgust. The Raja felt ashamed and crushed all her sons under a chariot. But they restored to life by the divine grace of Goddess Mangala. Since then the Raja and the queen worshipped Goddess Mangala and blessed with sons.
Orissa, the land of Puri Jagannath, celebrates various Hindu festivals throughout the year. Oriya festivals may vary drastically from other parts of India. In 2010 March, April and May months, numerous festivals are celebrated in Orissa. Maha Vishuba Sankranti or Mesha Sankranti marks the Orissa New Year. And other major festivals in March, April, and May 2010 are – Holi, Akshokashtami, Sri Rama Navami, Akshay Tritiya, and Guru Purnima.
Oriya Hindu Festivals in March 2010:
- Holi – March 1, 2010
- Panchu Dola – March 4, 2010
- Papamochani Ekadasi – March 11, 2010
- Mina Sankranti – March 15, 2010
- Ashokastami – March 23, 2010
- Rama Navami – March 24, 2010
- Sudasha Brata – March 25, 2010
- Kamada Ekadasi – March 26, 2010
- Chaitra Purnima – March 30, 2010
Oriya Festivals in April 2010:
- Utkal Divas – April 1, 2010
- Baruthini Ekadasi – April 10, 2010
- Maha Vishuba Sankranti – April 14, 2010
- Purusottami Ekadasi – April 24, 2010
Oriya Hindu Festivals in May 2010:
- Purusottami Ekadasi – May 9, 2010
- Baisakh Mala Amabasya – May 14, 2010
- Brusha Sankranti – May 15, 2010
- Akshaya Trutiya – May 16, 2010
- Sita Nabami – May 22, 2010
- Madhusudani Ekadasi – May 24, 2010
- Guru Purnima – May 27, 2010
Chandan Yatra or Chandan Jatra, popularly known as Chandan Mahotsava, is one of the major festivals held at Puri Jagannath Temple in Orissa. Chandan Yatra is celebrated on Akshaya Tritiya day during which the holy rituals for annual Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra are begun. Chandan Yatra 2010 date is May 16, 2010. Chandan Mahotsava is continued for 42 days that are divided in two terms – 21 days each.
During the first 21 days of Chandan Yatra Mahotsav, idols of Puri Jagannath temple along with Pancha Pandava Shivalingas are taken in a procession to the Narendra Tirtha tank through the Simhadwara of Jagannath temple. During the next 21 days of Chandan Yatra, rituals and pujas are held inside the temple.
Dola Purnima or Dol Poornima is the auspicious day during Holi festival celebrations in Orissa. The celebrations of Dola Purnima are similar to that of Dol Purnima festival in Bengal. Dola Purnima 2010 date is February 28, 2010. In Orissa and Bengal, Holi celebrations will begin on Phagu Dasami and end on Phalgun Poornima or main Holi festival will be celebrated on the day after Dol Purnima.
During the celebrations of Dola Purnima, Dol Yatra or Dol Jatra is celebrated. The idols of Lord Krishna and Radha are carried out for procession and worshipped in a grand manner. The procession halts in front of every house and offered special bhog. On Dola Purnima day, Swing Festival is celebrated. This festival is mentioned as Basantotsab or Vasantotsav or Basant rithu festival in Puranic texts.
Ashokastami or Ashok Ashtami festival is observed on Chaitra Shukla Ashtami day on which Durgashtami is also observed during Basant Navratri. This festival is mainly celebrated in Orissa, Bengal, Tripura and some other parts of Eastern India. In 2010, Ashokashtami date is March 23. As the festival falls during Basant Navratri or Chaitra Navratri, it is also celebrated as Chaitra Durgashtami.
Ashokastami festival is celebrated with utmost gaiety and much pomp in Tripura and Orissa. In Bhubaneswar Lingaraj Temple and Puri Loknath Temple, the festival marks the grand celebrations. On this day, Lingaraj Rathyatra is held in Bhubaneswar. Lord Bhandar Loknath is taken in a procession to Isaneswar Mahadev to perform ritual ceremonies. In Tripura, at Unakoti Theertha near Kailashahar Ashokastami Jatra or a fair is organized.
