About Odisha

Overview

A land of ancient temples and pristine beaches, Odisha is where spirituality meets natural beauty. Explore magnificent Sun Temple of Konark, visit sacred Jagannath Temple of Puri, relax on golden beaches, discover beautiful Chilika Lake, and experience vibrant festivals. A perfect blend of culture and relaxation.

Cities in Odisha

8 places to explore

Upcoming events in Odisha

Festivals and celebrations across the state

Bali Jatra

Cuttack’s riverfront fair celebrating Odisha’s maritime heritage.

Nov 24, 2026Tentative
Cuttack, Odisha

International Sand Art Festival

The International Sand Art Festival is held every year at **Chandrabhaga Beach** near the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, turning the shoreline into a beautiful open-air art gallery. This five-day event, usually in early December, brings together sand artists from India and across the world to create stunning sculptures based on a yearly theme. These artworks depict culture, heritage, wildlife, social messages and imaginative forms - all crafted **only from sand and water**. Visitors can watch artists sculpt live, explore the exhibition zone and enjoy the beach atmosphere. The festival also promotes coastal tourism and cultural exchange, showcasing Odisha’s creative spirit. Its temporary, naturally fading artworks give the event a unique charm, making each edition truly one-of-a-kind.

Dec 01–05, 2026
Konark, Odisha

Konark Dance Festival

The Konark Dance Festival was first launched in 1989 to celebrate and revive India’s classical dance traditions - Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniyattam, and Kathakali, set against the majestic backdrop of the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Initiated by the Odisha Tourism Department and leading cultural organisations, the festival aimed to highlight Odissi while also showcasing the rich diversity of Indian dance forms. **Schedule:** **1st December, 2025** Odissi:Nrutya Upasana Pitha (Sonali Mohapatra), Bhubaneswar 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Bharatnatyam: Shankarananda Kalakshetra Ensemble (Dr. Ananda Shankar Jayant), Hyderabad 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM **2nd December, 2025** Kuchipudi:Shambhavi School of Dance (Vyjayanthi Kashi), Bengaluru 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Odissi:Odissi Vision and Movement Centre (Sharmila Biswas), Kolkata 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM **3rd December, 2025** Odissi:Srjan (Ratikanta Mohapatra), Bhubaneswar 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Kathakali:Kerala Kalamandalam, Kerala 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM **4th December, 2025** Manipuri:Manipuri Nartanalaya (Bimbavati Devi), Kolkata 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Odissi:Bharati Nrutya Mandir (Bharat Charan Giri), Bhubaneswar 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM **5th December, 2025** Odissi:Udra (Arati Kar), Bhubaneswar 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM Kathak:Sanjukta Sinha Dance Company (Sanjukta Sinha), Ahmedabad 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Dec 01–05, 2026
Konark, Odisha