TAPASH ROY,KOLKATA:Odisha Festival 2025, a seven-day cultural extravaganza celebrating Lord Jagannath’s annual Rath Yatra, is set to take place at the Khidirpur Jagannath Temple in Kolkata. The festival marks the symbolic journey of Lord Jagannath to his aunt’s house and is a vibrant expression of devotion, unity, and Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. This year’s edition will be inaugurated by Dr. Sruti Mohapatra, a prominent disability rights activist and member of the National Committee for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Since 2003, the festival has recognized outstanding contributions to the arts and culture through the Utkala Samman, which this year will be awarded to acclaimed writer and researcher Shri Gouranga Charan Das. Throughout the week, the festival will feature a wide array of performances including classical Odissi dance, devotional music, and folk theatre. Audiences will witness captivating performances by Padma Shri Durga Charan Ranbir and his troupe, renowned dancer Meera Das, Gunjan Dance Academy, singer Rabindra Mohapatra, Aditi Munshi, and Lopita Behera. In addition to performing arts, the festival offers a glimpse into Odisha’s traditional handloom and handicrafts, including exquisite Sambalpuri and Kataki woven fabrics and intricate terracotta and wooden art pieces. The culinary traditions of Jagannath’s sacred kitchen will be on full display, offering visitors the chance to savor authentic Odia delicacies. A special Khiri Pitha competition is scheduled for July 4 to showcase Odisha’s beloved dessert-making traditions. To engage younger audiences, a dance, sitting, and drawing competition will be held at the venue on June 29. Adding to the celebration, a new book titled “Shree Jagannath in Bengali Eyes” will be released, offering insights into the perception and influence of Lord Jagannath within Bengali culture. According to Shri Guru Prasad Pattnaik, President of Utkala, the festival is designed to reflect the journey of Lord Jagannath and bring Odisha’s living traditions to Kolkata through art, culture, and shared spirituality. The press conference announcing the festival was attended by Shri Parashuram Bishoyi, Vice-President of the Shri Jagannath Seva Samiti; Shri Pramod Kumar Jena, Secretary of the Samiti; and Shri Saroj Mallick, Secretary of Utkala. The Khidirpur Jagannath Temple, a spiritual and cultural beacon in the city, continues to serve as a unifying space where tradition and celebration come together for the community. The Odisha Festival 2025 is free and open to all, running from June 28 to July 4 at the Jagannath Temple premises in Khidirpur.
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