More to Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav:
As an integral symbol of Buddhist legacy in Odisha, the Pagoda is been referred to as the symbol of harmony and peace all across the world. It is even regarded as International Peace Pagoda. The message of peace and harmony is basically revived via different amazing and spellbound performing arts of the classical genre acted out by reckoned and well known exponents. This Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav festival is jointly hosted by the Odisha Dance Academy and State Culture and Tourism Department.

The festival was first held in year 2003 as two individual festivals and they were brought under a single umbrella later in year 2011 and since then it has been popular and widely known as Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav. It is a 3 day festival and during this time, the peace pagoda is supposed to transform itself under the open sky and stars lit up the entire sky with the artistic splendour and wisdom of the performers leaving the visitors and audience with lasting memories to cherish for the days to come. In all, the festival is like a collage full with dance, classical music and folk dance forms that shows the different cultural colours and shades of India.

There is absolutely no entrance fee to go in this amazing festival. In fact, for all visitors, a special bus service is been arranged from the city Bhubaneswar to enjoy the festival to the fullest amidst scenic view of Dhauli fields and brightly and vividly environment full with enthusiasm, peace, happiness and content. Even many foreign tourists used to participate in this event and it is indeed a wonderful experience to cherish. Visitors attend the festival in large numbers to enjoy, have fun, know more about different dance forms of Odisha and have a gala time with loved ones. Are you interested to attend Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav festival? Looking for a travel agent who can arrange your tickets and accommodation in Odisha? Best Choice Holiday is one of the best travel agents who have been giving excellent services to its travellers as per their preferences when it comes to Odisha tour packages and travel related services.

Date of festival: 8th – 10th February, 2019
Time: 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM

PROGRAMME DETAILS:

8th Feb 2018:
Geeta Mahatmiyam: Anitha Guha & Group, Chennai; Gauri Diwakar & Group, New Delhi; Janardhan Raj Urs & Group, Bengaluru and Aruna Mohanty & Group, Bhubaneswar
Mayurbhanji Chhau Dance(Paika Bidroha): Mayur Art Centre, Bhubaneswar

9th Feb 2018:
Musical Orchestra(Mahodadhi): Dhaneswar Swain & Group, Vadya Vanee, Bhubaneswar
Odissi Dance: Ratikanta Mohapatra & Group, Srjan, Bhubaneswar
Thang-Ta: Rajen Mangan, Manipuri Thang Ta Cultural Association, Imphal

10th Feb 2018:
Odissi Dance: Madhulita Mohapatra & Group, Nrityantara Academy of Performing Arts, Bengaluru
Kathak Dance: Group From New Delhi
Contemporary Dance(Kalarippayttu): Sreejith T. R & Group, Kerala
Make in Odisha: Orissa Dance Academy, Bhubaneswar; Cornucopia Creations, Bengaluru & Md. Saiful Haque, Moksha, Cuttack.

Above programmes are subject to last minute changes.

Source: Odisha Tourism Web Portal

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• Konark Festival – Organized by Odisha Tourism, Konark Festival is very much known featuring a variety of Indian classical dance performances involving Kathak, Odissi and Bharatnatyam. The other attractions of the festival covers sand art exhibition, Odia temple sculptures and crafts fair. Since 1989, this grand festival is been conducting at country’s most beautiful sun temple in Konark, Odisha, nearby Puri. Also been referred to as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple has a unique chariot like shape, with engraved and intricate carvings over stone walls comprising erotic sculptures and art.
a) When it is held – It held every year in between December 1 to 5.
b) Where it is held – In an open air auditorium namely Natamandir at Odisha’s Konark Sun Temple.

• Mukteswar Dance Festival – This popular festival exclusively emphasizes on Odissi dance featuring solo, duet as well as group dance performances by reckoned, young and senior artisans. The recognized associations from Odisha and other parts of the country perform at this dance festival. It is held in the courtyard of Bhubaneswar’s ancient and well maintained temple complex, Mukteshwar temple that is over 1,100 years old. Known to be one of the compact and smallest temples located in Bhubaneswar, it is recognized for its unique stone ceiling and archway, with an eight petal lotus over the top.
a) When it is held – It held every year in between January 14 to 16.
b) Where it is held – In the complex of Mukteswar temple in Bhubaneswar.

• Rajarani Dance Festival – This famous music festival boosts the classical music traditions of the country to the next level. The splendid performances by the respectable Hindustani and Odissi music and vocal experts simply bring the architectural beauty and charisma of the temple alive and full with cheer, joy and happiness. Rajarani temple is situated on the exquisite kept grounds, available with erotic sculptured figurines inside. There is no specific deity associated with the temple and as revealed by the sources, it got its name from a pleasure resort of an Odia king and queen, also known as Raja and Rani.
a) When it is held – It is held every year in between January 18 to 20.
b) Where it is held – At Rajarani temple in Bhubaneswar.

• Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav – Organized by the Art Vision and Odisha Dance Academy – ODA, it features martial dance forms depicting the joy and happiness of victory over war, getting peace and contentment along with folk and classical dance forms of the state. The location where this Mahotsav takes place is simply remarkable and expressive, amongst the hills and historic Daya River, where Emperor Ashoka fought his last battle of Kalinga war before giving up the sword and accepting Buddhism.
a) When it is held – It is held usually every year in between February 6 to 8.
b) Where it is held – On the outskirts of Bhubaneswar at Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupa in Dhali Hills.

• Konark Dance and Music Festival – Like Konark Festival, this dance and music festival is organized by Kanak Natya Mandap, which is a famous people’s centre association depicting Odia culture. This group is been founded by popular Odissi dance guru ‘Gangadhar Pradhan’. Featuring classic dance and music performances, this event has been running from years, even longer prior to Konark Festival. It’s more like a tradition each year in this festival to start with an Odissi dance performance represented by the dance academy and it is held in a much circling replica of Sun Temple.
a) When it is held – Every year, it usually takes place in between February 19 to 23.
b) Where it is held – In Konark Natya Mandap in Arka Vihar, Konark.

Certainly, these dance and music festivals lift up the spirit and tourism of the state. Just for the record, it is advisable to all event goers to do make sure to check out the updates of the festival before finalizing anything. Let Best Choice Holiday tour operator be your guide this time, plan your Odisha itinerary, arrange your accommodation and everything within your budget and as per your wishes, and make sure you have a memorable time altogether in Odisha.

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