Odisha is known for its rich cultural heritage and colorful festivals. From Rath Yatra of Puri to Nuakhai of Western Odisha, each festival reflects the traditions, rituals, and community spirit of the state. Here we are providing you important State Festivals of Odisha GK Questions , useful for aspirants preparing for SSC, Banking, Railway, UPSC, and State PSC examinations.
Important State Festivals of Odisha GK Questions – For SSC, Banking, Railways & State Exams:-
Q1) Which is the most famous festival of Odisha celebrated at Jagannath Temple, Puri?A) Durga Puja
B) Rath Yatra
C) Chhau Festival
D) Bali Jatra
Correct Answer: B) Rath Yatra
Explanation: Rath Yatra or the Car Festival of Puri is the most famous festival of Odisha. It involves the ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra on huge chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. It attracts lakhs of devotees worldwide.
Explanation: Rath Yatra or the Car Festival of Puri is the most famous festival of Odisha. It involves the ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra on huge chariots from the Jagannath Temple to the Gundicha Temple. It attracts lakhs of devotees worldwide.
Q2) The famous “Chandan Yatra” of Lord Jagannath is celebrated for how many days?
A) 11 days
B) 21 days
C) 30 days
D) 42 days
Correct Answer: B) 21 days
Explanation: Chandan Yatra is a unique festival associated with Lord Jagannath, observed for 21 days in Puri. During this festival, the idols are taken to Narendra Tank, smeared with sandalwood paste, and placed on beautifully decorated boats. It marks the beginning of the summer season rituals.
Explanation: Chandan Yatra is a unique festival associated with Lord Jagannath, observed for 21 days in Puri. During this festival, the idols are taken to Narendra Tank, smeared with sandalwood paste, and placed on beautifully decorated boats. It marks the beginning of the summer season rituals.
Q3) The Bali Jatra of Odisha is celebrated in which city?
A) Cuttack
B) Bhubaneswar
C) Puri
D) Sambalpur
Correct Answer: A) Cuttack
Explanation: Bali Jatra, celebrated in Cuttack, commemorates the ancient maritime glory of Odisha when sailors (Sadhabas) sailed to Bali and other islands for trade. The festival is held on the banks of the Mahanadi River after Kartik Purnima. It is one of Asia’s largest trade fairs.
Explanation: Bali Jatra, celebrated in Cuttack, commemorates the ancient maritime glory of Odisha when sailors (Sadhabas) sailed to Bali and other islands for trade. The festival is held on the banks of the Mahanadi River after Kartik Purnima. It is one of Asia’s largest trade fairs.
Q4) Nuakhai festival is mainly celebrated by the people of which region of Odisha?
A) Coastal Odisha
B) Western Odisha
C) Southern Odisha
D) Northern Odisha
Correct Answer: B) Western Odisha
Explanation: Nuakhai is the most important harvest festival of Western Odisha. It signifies the first eating of the new crop (nua means new, khai means food). Farmers worship their household deity and Mother Earth before consuming the newly harvested rice. It unites the rural communities.
Explanation: Nuakhai is the most important harvest festival of Western Odisha. It signifies the first eating of the new crop (nua means new, khai means food). Farmers worship their household deity and Mother Earth before consuming the newly harvested rice. It unites the rural communities.
Q5) Which festival marks the new rice eating ceremony in Odisha?
A) Raja Parba
B) Makar Sankranti
C) Nuakhai
D) Rath Yatra
Correct Answer: C) Nuakhai
Explanation: Nuakhai is a traditional agricultural festival where farmers offer the first grains of the new harvest to the deities before consuming them. It highlights the strong agrarian culture of Odisha. The festival also reinforces social bonding, as families and communities celebrate with feasts and rituals.
Explanation: Nuakhai is a traditional agricultural festival where farmers offer the first grains of the new harvest to the deities before consuming them. It highlights the strong agrarian culture of Odisha. The festival also reinforces social bonding, as families and communities celebrate with feasts and rituals.
Q6) “Raja Parba” festival of Odisha is dedicated to which aspect of nature?
A) Harvest
B) Womanhood & Fertility of Earth
C) Cattle
D) Rain God
Correct Answer: B) Womanhood & Fertility of Earth
Explanation: Raja Parba is a unique festival of Odisha celebrating womanhood and the fertility of Mother Earth. It marks the onset of monsoon, symbolizing the Earth’s rejuvenation. Girls enjoy swings, traditional games, and festive food. It reflects respect for women and agricultural fertility traditions.
Explanation: Raja Parba is a unique festival of Odisha celebrating womanhood and the fertility of Mother Earth. It marks the onset of monsoon, symbolizing the Earth’s rejuvenation. Girls enjoy swings, traditional games, and festive food. It reflects respect for women and agricultural fertility traditions.
Q7) Which festival of Odisha is associated with boat sailing traditions?
A) Bali Jatra
B) Chhau Festival
C) Pana Sankranti
D) Chitalagi Amavasya
Correct Answer: A) Bali Jatra
Explanation: Bali Jatra is linked to Odisha’s rich maritime history when sailors voyaged to Bali, Sumatra, and Java. Symbolically, people float miniature boats made of banana stems, paper, or cork in rivers and ponds. It celebrates Odisha’s seafaring legacy and international trade connections of the past.
Explanation: Bali Jatra is linked to Odisha’s rich maritime history when sailors voyaged to Bali, Sumatra, and Java. Symbolically, people float miniature boats made of banana stems, paper, or cork in rivers and ponds. It celebrates Odisha’s seafaring legacy and international trade connections of the past.
Q8) “Magha Saptami” festival is held at which famous place in Odisha?
A) Cuttack
B) Konark
C) Puri
D) Sambalpur
Correct Answer: B) Konark
Explanation: Magha Saptami is celebrated at Konark’s Chandrabhaga Beach where thousands of devotees take a holy dip before sunrise and worship the Sun God. It is believed to cure diseases and cleanse sins. The Konark Sun Temple holds special rituals during this auspicious occasion.
Explanation: Magha Saptami is celebrated at Konark’s Chandrabhaga Beach where thousands of devotees take a holy dip before sunrise and worship the Sun God. It is believed to cure diseases and cleanse sins. The Konark Sun Temple holds special rituals during this auspicious occasion.
Q9) Dhanu Jatra, the largest open-air theatre festival in the world, is celebrated in which town of Odisha?
A) Bargarh
B) Bhadrak
C) Balasore
D) Khurda
Correct Answer: A) Bargarh
Explanation: Dhanu Jatra, held in Bargarh, transforms the entire town into a stage where episodes of Krishna Leela and Mathura Nagari are enacted. It holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s largest open-air theatre. The festival symbolizes the victory of truth over evil.
Explanation: Dhanu Jatra, held in Bargarh, transforms the entire town into a stage where episodes of Krishna Leela and Mathura Nagari are enacted. It holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s largest open-air theatre. The festival symbolizes the victory of truth over evil.
Q10) In which month is the famous Car Festival (Rath Yatra) of Puri celebrated?
A) March-April
B) June-July
C) August-September
D) October-November
Correct Answer: B) June-July
Explanation: The Puri Rath Yatra takes place in June or July (Ashadha month). Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken in giant chariots to Gundicha Temple. Millions of devotees gather to pull the sacred chariots, considering it highly auspicious for salvation.
Explanation: The Puri Rath Yatra takes place in June or July (Ashadha month). Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken in giant chariots to Gundicha Temple. Millions of devotees gather to pull the sacred chariots, considering it highly auspicious for salvation.
