Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government will celebrate Odia Pakhya, a 14-day cultural festival, from April 1 to April 14 across the state, marking a vibrant period from Odisha Day to the Odia New Year. The initiative aims to reconnect people with Odisha’s rich cultural heritage and traditions.
The announcement was made by Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj during a press conference in Bhubaneswar. He stated that the festival, first introduced in 2025, will be celebrated with greater grandeur this year across the state.
Highlighting the significance of the festival, the Minister said, “Odia Pakhya is not merely a government programme but a collective effort to celebrate Odia language, literature, food, traditions, attire, and lifestyle.”
Key Events During Odia Pakhya
- April 1: The celebrations will commence with the observance of “Odisha Divas”, organised by the Information and Public Relations Department.
- April 2: “Khadi Chuan Day” will be celebrated by the School and Mass Education Department for children enrolling in pre-primary and Class I.
- April 3: “Ama Poshak Ama Parichaya Day”, promoting traditional attire, will be observed under the Handloom, Textiles, and Handicrafts Department.
- April 4: A padayatra (awareness march) titled “Odia Nameplate Campaign” will be organised by the Odisha Labour Department to encourage the use of Odia language in signboards.
- April 5: A “Heritage Run” will be conducted near historical sites across the state by the Sports & Youth Services and Higher Education Department to promote heritage awareness and the Fit India–Fit Odisha initiative.
- April 6: A “Cleanliness Drive” will be organised across temples and public places, led by the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water and Housing & Urban Development Department.
- April 7: “Shishu Katha Divas” will be celebrated by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department to promote storytelling and folk tales among children.
- April 8: A “Blood Donation Drive” will be organised by the Health & Family Welfare and Higher Education Department.
- April 9: “Aasa Bahitie Kiniba Abhiyan” (Let’s Buy a Book Campaign) will be held by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department to encourage reading habits among youth.
- April 10: “Lokakala Paain Dinatie” will be organised by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department to promote folk arts and honour artists.
- April 11: An “Amrutapidhi Samaroh” will be organized by the School and Mass Education, Higher Education, and Skill Development & Technical Education Department to foster creativity among children, adolescents, and youth.
- April 12: The “Bandaneeya Baraputra” programme will be conducted by the Odia Language, Literature, and Culture Department to educate the younger generation about the ideals and lives of eminent personalities (Baraputra) of Odisha.
- April 13: “Ama Ruchi Ama Khadya Divas” will be organised by the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Housing and Urban Development, and Tourism Departments to promote traditional and local cuisine.
- April 14: The celebrations will conclude with the grand observance of the Odia New Year across the state.
To ensure public participation, the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department has launched a dedicated website, Odiapakhya.com, along with a mobile app. Citizens can upload selfies, reels, and content related to Odia culture, participate in online quiz competitions, and download digital certificates.
Minister Suraj urged all citizens, institutions, and youth organisations to actively participate in Odia Pakhya 2026. “This is the time to reconnect with our roots and proudly showcase our identity. Let us come together and celebrate our language and culture with pride,” he added.
