This document provides information about the culture and traditions of Maharashtra and Odisha, including their major festivals and folk dances. In Maharashtra, some of the prominent festivals discussed are Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmashtami, Makar Sankranti, and the folk dances Lavani and Koli dance. In Odisha, some of the major festivals mentioned are Durga Puja, Konark Dance Festival, Naukahi, and the folk dances Chhau, Odissi, and Karma. The document thus highlights the rich cultural heritage of these two Indian states through their unique festivals and performing art forms.

1. EK BHARAT
SHRESHT BHARAT
CULTURE AND TRADITION OF MAHARASHTRA AND ODISSA
EK BHARAT
SHRESHT BHARAT

2. Name: Krishna Kharat
Roll.no: 15
Class: IX - Homi Bhabha
School: Podar international school
STUDENT INFORMATION

3. CULTURE AND TRADITION OF
MAHARASHTRA
Each state in India has its own
culture, traditions and festivals,
and Maharashtra is no exception.

4. FESTIVALS OF
MAHARASHTRA
Although most of the national festivals are
celebrated with great pomp and gusto, there
are some festivals and festivities which are
unique to this diverse state. Read on to explore
some of the unique festivals of the land which
is a cultural melting-pot of the country.

5. 8 Popular Festivals Of Maharashtra
That You Got To Experience
Ganesh Chaturthi
Janmashtami
Gudi Padwa
Makar Sankranti
Nashik Kumbh Mela
Shivaji Jayanti
Ellora Festival
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

6. The most famous festival of Maharashtra, Ganesh Chaturthi is a
grand festival that marks the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha.
Celebrated with grandeur, the festivity of Ganesh Chaturthi in
Maharashtra goes for 11 days and brings communities together.
Beautifully sculpted Ganesh idols are installed in many houses
and pandals where various rituals are performed with great
devotion. On the last day of the festival, the idol is immersed in a
large water body and a massive procession is carried out to bid
farewell to Lord Ganesha. During this procession, people are
immersed in the spirit of dance and music which depicts the
vibrant culture of Maharashtra.
Ganesh chaturthi

7. Another colorful and electrifying Maharashtra festival is
Janmashtami which is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary
of Lord Krishna. Also known as Gokul Ashtami, the festival of
Janmashtami is celebrated with great pomp and shows in
Maharashtra. Heartwarming rituals such as Dahi Handi is
performed to honor the famous act of stealing butter by Lord
Krishna.
A group of youngsters from huge human pyramids to reach up
to the pots that are hung on great heights. Their attempts to
break open these earthen pots filled with butter is a sight to
behold. The entire state reverberates the spirit of festivity and
joy during this festival that beautifully marks Krishna Leela.
JANMASHTAMI

8. Makar(a) Sankranti (Sanskrit: मकरसङ्क्रान्ति, romanized:
Makarasaṅ krānti), also referred to as Uttarayana, Makar,
or simply Sankranti, is a Hindu observance and a festival.
Usually falling on the date of January 15 annually, this
occasion marks the transition of the Sun from the zodiac
of Sagittarius (dhanu) to Capricorn (makara). Since the Sun
has made this transition which vaguely coincides with
moving from south to north, the festival is dedicated to
the solar deity, Surya, and is observed to mark a new
beginning. Many native multi-day festivals are organised
on this occasion all over India.
MAKAR SANKRANTI

9. FOLK DANCES AND SONGS
OF MAHARASHTRA
Although most of the national festivals are
celebrated with great pomp and gusto, there
are some festivals and festivities which are
unique to this diverse state. Read on to explore
some of the unique festivals of the land which
is a cultural melting-pot of the country.

10. Lavani (Marathi: लावणी) is a genre of music popular in
Maharashtra, India. Lavani is a combination of
traditional song and dance, which particularly
performed to the beats of Dholki, a percussion
instrument. Lavani is noted for its powerful rhythm.
Lavani has contributed substantially to the
development of Marathi folk theatre. In Maharashtra
and southern Madhya Pradesh it is performed by the
female performers wearing nine-yard long sarees. The
songs are sung in a quick tempo.
LAVANI

11. Koli Dance is a popular folk dance of the
Maharashtra and Goa states of India. It was
created by Kolis of Mumbai.[citation
needed] The Koli Dance reflects the rhythm
of the sea waves and all of the festivals of
Kolis always celebrate with Koli dance. This
characteristically lively dance of the Koli
fisherwomen is special to Mumbai.
KOLI DANCE

12. CULTURE AND
TRADITION OF ODISHA
Each state in India has its own
culture, traditions and festivals,
and Odissa is also no exception.

13. FESTIVALS OF ODISHA
Every part of our beloved India will wish you with
high spirits of festivity. The vibrant culture, rich
customs, feeling of celebration, a plate full of
exquisite meal. After all, this what India- the festival
of land is known for. One such part of India where
festivals run the happy lives of people is Odisha.
Being a land of various religions and tribe, you will
find numerous festivals being celebrated by the
people throughout the year.

14. 13 FESTIVALS OF ODISHA
THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Ratha Jatra, Magha Saptami, Makara Mela, Chhau
festival, Puri Beach festival, Naukhai, Chatar Jatra,
Durga Puja, Kalinga Mahatsav, Chandan
Yatra,Konark Dance festival, Mahabisuva
Sankranti And last but not the least Raja Parba.

15. Durga Pooja is the most important festival of Orissa which is
magnificently celebrated all over the state of Orrisa. It is
celebrated in the month of Ashwin or Kartik, (September or
October as per the English calendar). The streets and lighted up
and Pandals are decorated to set the spirit of festivity among
the people. The huge idols of Durga Maa along with two other
avatars of Maa Laxmi and Maa Saraswati are immaculate in the
Pandals. The chants of Mantras and morning and evening Artis
can be heard to mark the grand celebration of this festival.
Durga Pooja is celebrated for three – four days in Orissa and
holds an important significance for the Hindu devotees.
DURGA PUJA

16. Dedicated purely to the beauty of Konark Sun Temple and the
elegance of Odissi dance, this festival is beyond religions and
customs. The festival is celebrated to pay tribute to the ancient
beauty of the Konark Temple. As the sun sets down, the temple
wears a vibrant look with lights adding on to its beauty. Konark
Dance Festival is organised by Odissi dancer Gangadhar
Pradhan’s Odisha Dance Academy at Konark Natya Mandap in
Konark. Famous classical dancers get together to be a part of
this extravagant celebration which is fondly enjoyed by the
people from around the globe.
KONARK DANCE FESTIVAL

17. Nuakhai is the agricultural festival observed by people of
Western Odisha & in some Chhattisgarh region in India.
Nuakhai is observed to welcome the new rice of the season.
It is the most important social festival of Odisha but
particularly of a high significance in Western Odisha and
adjoining areas. The word ‘nua’ means new and ‘khai’ means
food, so the name means the new crop that the farmers
harvest marking the start of the harvesting season. In recent
years the festival is celebrated all around the country by
people of Orissa who have migrated to these places.
NAUKAHI

18. FOLK DANCES AND SONGS
OF ODISHA
The main ragas in Odissi sangita are Bhairavee, Baradi,
Dhanashri, Kalyana, Karnata, Nata, Panchama, Shree
Gowda and Shokabaradi. Your cultural tour to the state is
incomplete without experiencing Odisha s famous dance
forms Odissi, Chhau, Gotipua, Danda Nata, Sambapuri,
Dalkhai, Chaitighoda, and Medha Nacha.

19. Chhau dance is a tradition from eastern India that
enacts episodes from epics including the
Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore and
abstract themes. Its three distinct styles hail from the
regions of Seraikella, Purulia and Mayurbhanj, the first
two using masks. Chhau dance is intimately
connected to regional festivals, notably the spring
festival Chaitra Parva. Its origin is traceable to
indigenous forms of dance and martial practices.
CHHAU DANCE

20. Odissi (Odia: ଓଡ଼ିଶୀ), also referred to as Orissi in old
literature, is a major ancient Indian classical dance
that originated in the temples of Odisha – an
eastern coastal state of India. Odissi, in its history,
was performed predominantly by women, and
expressed religious stories and spirital ideas,
particularly of Vaishnavism through songs written
and composed according to the ragas & talas of
Odissi music by ancient poets of the state.
ODISSI DANCE

21. Karma dance or Karma Naach is a traditional dance of
central and Eastern India annually performed during the
karma festival. Karma is a famous autumnal festival, it
starts from the 11th day of the bright fortnight of the
month of Bhadrab. It is performed in State of
Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and
West Bengal. Karma means 'fate'.This folk dance is
performed during the worship of the god of fate which is
known as Karam Devta. People consider the god of fate
as the cause of good and bad fortune.
KARMA DANCE

22. THANK YOU !