Agni Utsav
Agni Utsav has attained the status of a national festival in the state of Orissa. It is an agricultural festival having special importance among the farmers of the state. The families indulge in preparing much in advance for the festival.
Highlights of Agni Utsav
Orissa holds a great cultural and traditional significance in the country. Agni Utsav is an example of the festivals that revolve around belief in the power of "Agni". The religious fervor of the state is depicted through this event. Enormous heaps of hay is laid out in the fields on the day of the celebrations. This is an integral part of the occasion that shows the collective work and bonding among the villagers.
Agni Utsav traditions
There are several traditions revolving around the utsav famous among the frmers of Orissa. The women clean the home and the male members collect heaps of hay prior to a week to burn them on Agni Utsav Day. Farmers believe that burning the hay foretells about the crops for the coming year. The flames of the burning heap of hay bring in many predictions about crops. A westward tilt of the heap indicates floods; tilt on the eastern side means high tides coming to the farm ground. The fire flame tilting north is believed to be auspicious indicating good yield.
The ritual of offering prayers to the God of Fire is another part of the celebration. "Agnidev" would protect the crops from fire and hazards.
| Festivals in January 2012 |
| Festival Name | Festivals Day/Date |
| Dr. Sampoornanand Jayanti | 1 Jan, Sunday |
| New Year Day | 1 Jan, Sunday |
| Rashtriya Balika Diwas | 3 Jan, Tuesday |
| Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti | 5 Jan, Thursday |
| Island Tourism Festival | 5-15 Jan, Thursday(starting) |
| International Kite Festival | 9-12 Jan, Friday |
| Kolkata Festival | 11 - 15 Jan Wednesday (starting) |
| National Youth Day | 12 Jan, Thursday |
| Lohri Magh Bihu (Assam, Bengal) | 13 Jan, Friday |
| Makara Sankranti / Uttarayan | 14 Jan, Saturday |
| Pongal | 14 - 17 Jan, Friday-Sunday |
| Pattadakkal Dance Festival | 14 Jan, Saturday |
| Army Day | 15 Jan, Saturday |
| Vivekanada Jayanti | 16 Jan, Monday |
| Hampi Festival | 18 Jan, Wednesday |
| Hampi Festival 500th Anniversary | 18 Jan, Wednesday |
| Modhera Dance Festival | 20 - 22 Jan, Friday - Sunday |
| Jaipur Literature Festival | 20- 24 Jan, Friday-Tuesday | Desh Prem Diwas | 23 Jan, Monday |
| Netaji Jayanti | 23 Jan, Monday |
| Republic Day | 26 Jan, Thursday |
| Vasant Panchami/Saraswati Puja | 28 Jan, Friday |
| Mahatma Gandhi's Assassination Day | 30 Jan, Monday |
| Martyr's Day | 30 Jan, Monday |
| Mamallapuram Festival | 27 Dec, 2011- Jan 26, 2012, Tuesday-Thursday |
| Kerala Village Fair | Mid Jan |
| Agni Utsav(Orissa) | Mid January |
