Odisha’s unique Holi celebrations that make it different from the rest

As the festival of Holi paints the skies with vibrant colors across India, Odisha celebrates it in its own unique and culturally rich ways. From the divine Holi of Lord Jagannath to the playful ‘Dola Yatra’, the state blends spirituality, tradition, and revelry into this joyous festival.

1. Dola Yatra: The Rath Yatra of Colours

In Odisha, Holi is deeply intertwined with the festival of Dola Purnima , a grand procession that takes place before the main Holi celebrations. During this festival, idols of Lord Krishna (often referred to as Dolagovinda) are placed in beautifully decorated palanquins (Dola) and taken around villages in a procession led by devotees, musicians, and dancers.

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Priests offer ‘Abira’ (colored powder) to the deity, marking the beginning of the Holi celebrations.

Devotees play colours, sing devotional songs, and seek blessings from the Dolagovinda idol.

The festival is especially grand in Puri, Cuttack, Kendrapara, and Ganjam.

2. Lord Jagannath’s Holi in Puri

In the holy city of Puri , Holi is celebrated with divine enthusiasm at the Jagannath Temple. Instead of just colours, the deities—Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra—are smeared with sandalwood paste and special fragrant colours.

The temple servitors play Holi with devotees, making it a deeply spiritual experience.

Special bhog (offerings) is prepared, and devotional kirtans echo through the temple premises.

Unlike in other places, where Holi is often wild, the Jagannath Temple’s Holi is serene and devotional.

3. Matka Phod Holi of Berhampur

The southern city of Berhampur hosts a Holi celebration similar to Maharashtra’s Dahi Handi but with a unique Odia touch.

A clay pot (Matka) filled with colored water is suspended high above the ground.

Groups of enthusiastic young men form human pyramids to break the pot, showering colours on the crowd below.
The event is accompanied by music, dance, and street performances.

4. Rangotsav in Western Odisha (Sambalpur & Balangir)

Western Odisha, known for its Sambalpuri culture, celebrates Holi with a blend of folk traditions, music, and dance.

The Dulduli dance is performed in villages, where groups of people move in rhythmic beats while throwing colours at each other.

Folk songs in the Sambalpuri dialect add a unique regional flavour to the festival.

Many villages also organize mock fights between groups, symbolizing the playful battles of Lord Krishna with the Gopis.

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A Festival That Unites All

Whether through the divine Dola Yatra, the tribal Bhabha Holi, or the energetic Matka Phod event, Odisha’s Holi is a mesmerizing blend of spirituality, history, and festivity. While some play with colours, others immerse themselves in devotional songs and rituals, making Holi in Odisha a celebration like no other.