Great festivals
1.Sitala Sasthi
Sitala sasthi is held in the Sambalpur area of Odisha, the Sital Sasthi festival is a monumental occasion. The Sital Sasthi Yatra is a great parade that honors the celestial union of Lord Shiva, also known as Sambaleswara, and his consort, Goddess Parvati.
The Sital Sasthi celebration has a long history that dates back several centuries. The event is thought to have been instituted under the rule of Sambalpur’s then-king, Baliar Singh. As a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, the monarch desired a grandiose celebration of his celestial marriage. As a result, he started the Sital Sasthi Yatra tradition, which grew to be an annual occasion.
The celebration is held in May or June, more precisely on the sixth day of the waxing phase of the moon, which falls on the Hindu calendar’s Sasthi tithi. Every part of the town is decked out in vibrant lights and decorations well in advance of the event.
The event starts with the celestial pair, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, being ceremoniously married. Devotees pull chariots pulling the exquisitely adorned idols of the deities in a magnificent parade. There is a huge turnout to witness the heavenly union as the procession passes by several significant municipal landmarks.
Vibrant dance performances, cultural events, and music fill the streets during the procession. Skillfully performed traditional folk dances such as Gotipua and Sambalpuri highlight the rich cultural legacy of the area. In addition, the procession includes a number of tableaus that illustrate events from Lord Shiva’s life as well as mythological tales.
The Sital Sasthi celebration includes ceremonies in addition to the great procession. In order to ask Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for their blessings on prosperity and well-being, devotees fast and make prayers to them. It is thought that taking part in the celebration and seeing the holy union brings good fortune and aids in overcoming life’s challenges.
The Sital Sasthi celebration has a long history that dates back several centuries. The event is thought to have been instituted under the rule of Sambalpur’s then-king, Baliar Singh. As a devoted follower of Lord Shiva, the monarch desired a grandiose celebration of his celestial marriage. As a result, he started the Sital Sasthi Yatra tradition, which grew to be an annual occasion.
2.Nua khai
One of the most distinctive social celebrations is called Nuakhai, which combines the words for “new” (Nua) and “food” (Khai). Since it is held to celebrate the fresh rice harvest of the season, this traditional celebration holds great significance for farmers and the agricultural community. This event is observed with considerable pomp and circumstance in the districts of Balangir, Sambalpur, Kalahandi, Sonepur, Bargarh, Sundargarh, Boudh, Jharsugudah, and Nuapada, even though it is observed throughout the state. During the “Panchami tithi,” or the fifth day of the lunar fortnight, which often occurs in August or September, Nuakhai is celebrated exactly one day after Ganesh Chaturthi.
The sages of the Vedic era mentioned the five significant yearly events of an agrarian community in the Panchajanya, which is when the Nuakhai festival originated. Before being consumed by birds or animals, the first harvests are traditionally gathered and reverently dedicated to the mother goddess. The celebration of Nuakhai, however, has been associated with Sambalpuri culture and legacy since the 12th century A.D., according to oral tradition. In order to support agriculture and create surpluses to maintain the state’s economy, the first Chauhan Raja Ramai Deo of Western Odisha’s Bolangir district observed the Nuakhai festival.
Nuakhai was formerly fixed by the village headman or priest and eventually became a socio-religious celebration supported by the royal families throughout the Kosal region.
Over time, Nuakhai has developed into an agricultural celebration for the caste-Hindu populations of Odisha and the tribal people who are settled farmers. Given that paddy is the main crop in Odisha, it is thought to both determine the fate of its people and preserve hope. Consequently, since the farmers reap the rewards of their labor after cultivation, the fresh rice collection is also seen as a fortunate occasion.
A yearly celebration known as Nuakhai Juhar is held to greet the new rice harvest. The nine sets of rituals that are performed to celebrate the Nuakhai event include announcing a meeting to set a date for the festival, determining the precise date for eating new rice, sending out invitations, cleaning the house, buying goods, searching for the new crop, offering the new crop to the deity, eating the Prasad, singing, dancing, and finally paying respect to elders and exchanging gifts with relatives. Participating in the “Nuakhai Bhetghat” community events allows one to see and experience traditional Sambalpuri dance styles like as Dalkhai, Sajani, Rasarkeli, Maelajada, Nachnia, Chutku Chuta, and Bajnia, as well as sample local foods that offer a distinct flavor to the festive occasion.
World famous handloom textiles
One of the factors that make the state of Odisha well-known worldwide is the Sambalpuri textile industry. This cotton fabric is mainly recognized for its distinctive manufacturing process, called Bandha Kalaa locally, which is also known as Ikat or Ikkat, or “tie and dye technique.” Although it goes by the name of Sambalpur district, there are weavers’ communities in rural western Odisha that are involved in producing this exquisite textile and have contributed to the continuation of the tradition for generations in Bargrah, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Bolangir, Boudh, and Sonepur districts.
Sambalpuri handlooms are well known for their Ikat weaving skills. The threads are resist-dyed in this elaborate procedure prior to being woven into cloth. Sarees, dupattas, and other fabrics are adorned with captivating patterns created by the painstaking tying and dying of yarns.
Ikat weaving:
Traditional themes: There are many different traditional themes on the handlooms, which draw inspiration from mythology, nature, and daily life. The intricate motifs feature peacocks, conch shells, elephants, and geometric shapes that give the textiles a unique character.
Variety of Fabrics:
The two main materials used by Sambalpuri handlooms to generate a wide range of fabrics are silk and cotton. These handloom designs are not only aesthetically pleasing but also comfortable to wear thanks to the silky smooth texture and the cozy cotton material.
Sambalpuri Sarees(pata saree)
Pasapalli Saree:
The Pasapalli saree is a quintessential representation of Sambalpuri artistry. This saree, adorned with square-shaped patterns akin to a checkerboard, is a representation of refinement and cultural depth.
Sonepuri Saree:
Sonepuri sarees are known for their elaborate designs and golden borders. These handwoven works of art have an air of luxury because to the golden threads.
bollywood celebrities and famous politician are also useing sambalpur saree in thier daily life.
Sambalpuri Dance and music & Culture
Sambalpuri Dance
Folk dances frequently depict people’s daily routines, including their rites, rituals, and beliefs, as well as other social occasions like marriage, fairs, and festivals.
The traditional dance form known as Sambalpuri dance has its roots in the western region of Odisha, namely in the former Sambalpur district. This location is renowned for its sculpturistic style of Odissi dance. Sambalpur, which takes its name from the ruling goddess “Samalai,” has a unique cultural character.
Sambalpuri dance has changed significantly throughout time to accommodate the dialectic, climatic, cultural, and behavioral diversity of the Sambalpur community. This dance was originally performed as a sacrifice to the gods, a defense against evil, and a way to appease the unseen, small atman, or soul. It was done at festivals, fairs, weddings, and throughout the harvest season.
This dance will always be remembered because of the most thrilling and well-liked performance of “Rasarkeli,” “Dalkhai,” “Maelajad,” “Bayar man,” and “Chutuku Chuta.” Its noticeable characteristics are its tumbling foot movements interspersed with teaming stops. A person’s heart might be thrilled by the rhythm of the dhol, drum, flute, and dholak combined with the tinkling of the ghungroos. The innovative organisation behind this dance’s promotion, Sambalpur Kala Parishad, is to blame for the dance’s revolutionary rise.
Sambalpuri music
This District entered a foreign country by crossing the border from a much less fortunate and well-known rural location. Ever since then, sambalpuri songs have been extremely popular worldwide. People in this region of Odisha value togetherness, simplicity, and a love of the natural world. Tribal people dance here to the sounds of Dhole, Madal, and Nishan. Gatherings with friends and family are enjoyable in Nuakhai-Bhet Ghat, as it is known in Sambalpuri. Once more, the District is a riot of color during the Festival celebrations.
It is evident that even if the instrumentalists lack theoretical expertise, the pieces they perform are flawlessly based on the accepted grammar of the local folk music. In addition, the wealthy possess additional musical instruments such as mandal, dhulak, pakhauj, dugi-tabla, mridanga, mardal, dhap, timkidi, Jodi-nagara, Ghanta, behela, khanjani, dhapli, bansi, Singh-Kahali, Bir-Kahali, ghulghula, ghunguru, kendraa, khadkhadi, ektara, ghumra, gini (cymbals), daskathia, etc.
The Dhole, Madal, Nishan, Tasa, Pakhoj, Bansi, Bir-Kahali, Gini, Ektara, Muhuri, Ghulgula, Ghunguru, Jhanj, and other folk instruments are popular in the Sambalpur region. During “aarti,” they are frequently utilized in temples.
Sambalpur culture
In Orissa, India, there is a region called Sambalpur that has a unique cultural character. Sambalpur’s music, attire, dances, dialect, and festivals are all distinctive. The deep linkages between the tribal and folk communities that have coexisted in Sambalpur for millennia give origin to this unique cultural character.