Chaitya Parva festival is a famous tribal festival of Orissa. It is mainly celebrated by the tribal groups of Koya in Koraput and Bhuiyans in Keonjhar, Sundargarh and Mayurbhanj. Some of the features that characterize this festival are animal sacrifices, drinking, singing and dancing. It showcases the cultural heritage of the tribes of Orissa. It will enable you to explore many interesting facts about the tribal culture of India. Chaitya Parva festival falls in the Hindu month of Chaitra. The Koya tribal community celebrates this occasion as Biju Pandu.
At the time of the festivity, men wear headgears resembling those of the hunters and fishermen and go on their hunting expedition. The women wear colorful clothes and sing and dance, while they wait for the men to return. In the evening, the otherwise sleepy Koya district turns into a hub of life. The entire community becomes full of life and participates in the celebrations. At Bijigudi, as in the house of God, tribal people indulge in animal sacrificing. It is followed by a fabulous tribal dance performance.
Time: In the Hindu month of Chaitra
Location: Koraput, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh & Keonjhar
Highlights: A tribal festival