Durga Puja symbolises the commemoration of good over evil. It is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety by Oriyas and Bengalis residing in Orissa. Durga Puja is celebrated in every town and city of Orissa.But mainly the celebration takes place in Cuttack, Berhampur,Bhubaneswar, Raurkela,Sambalpur,Balaswar and Jaipur. The three major Pujas of the state are the Chandi medha ("Chandi" means Silver) of Cuttack, Shahid Nagar's Durga Puja and Nayapalli's Durga Puja. Life comes to a stand-still in the city of Cuttack,Berhampur, Raurkela and Bhubaneswar as crowds pour into the Puja Mandaps to enjoy the festivities. On the day succeeding "Vijaya Dasami", the last day of Dussehra, the images are taken in a spectacular procession for immersion.

Most Popular Festivals in Puri :

Makar Sankranti Saraswati Puja (Sri Panchami) Maha Shiva Ratri Phagu Dasami Holi (Dola Purnima) Ram Navami Sudasha Brata Maha Vishuba Sankranti Akshaya Trutiya Savitri Amabasya Pahili Raja Shitala Sasthi Bahuda Yatra (Hari Sayan Ekadasi) Chitalagi Amabasya Prathamastami Raksha Bandhan (Gamha Purnima) Ganesh Chaturthi Nuakhai Apara Paksha Dussehra (Garbhana Sankranti) Kumar Purnima Dipavali Uthapan Ekadasi (Panchuka) Kartik Purnima Manabasa Gurubar Snana Purnima Jhulan Purnima Chaitra Poornima Konark Dance Festivals Puri Beach Festival