Odia Calendar 2024 May Month
Introduction
As an Odia, I have always been fascinated by the rich cultural heritage of my state, and the Odia calendar plays a crucial role in shaping our traditions and festivals. In this article, I am going to take you on a journey through the Odia calendar for May 2024, and explore the various festivals and events that take place during this month.
Overview of Odia Calendar
The Odia calendar is a lunisolar calendar, which means it takes into account both the lunar and solar cycles. It consists of twelve months, and each month is divided into two pakshas or fortnights. The first fortnight is called the Shukla Paksha, and the second fortnight is called the Krishna Paksha.
The month of May in the Odia calendar falls in the second fortnight of the Vaishakha month. This is an important month for Odias as it marks the beginning of the agricultural season and is associated with the worship of Lord Jagannath.
List of Events and Festivals
Here is a list of some of the important events and festivals that take place in May 2024 according to the Odia calendar:
- Akshaya Tritiya
- Mahavir Jayanti
- Buddha Purnima
- Snana Purnima
- Jagannath Deva Snana Yatra
- Ganga Dussehra
Details of Festivals
Let’s explore some of these festivals in more detail:
Akshaya Tritiya
Akshaya Tritiya is an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar, and it falls on the third day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Vaishakha. It is believed that any good deed done on this day will bring prosperity and good fortune. Many people buy gold on this day as it is considered to be a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the founder of Jainism. It falls on the thirteenth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Vaishakha. On this day, Jains visit temples and offer prayers to Lord Mahavir.
Buddha Purnima
Buddha Purnima, also known as Vesak, is celebrated to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha. It falls on the full moon day in the month of Vaishakha. Buddhists celebrate this day by visiting temples, offering prayers, and performing acts of charity.
Snana Purnima
Snana Purnima is a significant festival in the Jagannath temple in Puri. On this day, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken in a procession to the Snana Bedi and given a ceremonial bath. This marks the beginning of the annual Rath Yatra, which takes place in the month of June or July.
Jagannath Deva Snana Yatra
The Jagannath Deva Snana Yatra is a month-long festival that takes place in the Jagannath temple in Puri. It begins on the day of Snana Purnima and ends on the day before the Rath Yatra. During this festival, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are adorned with new clothes and jewellery, and devotees offer prayers and seek blessings.
Ganga Dussehra
Ganga Dussehra is celebrated to commemorate the descent of the river Ganges on Earth. It falls on the tenth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Jyeshtha. Many people take a dip in the Ganges river on this day as it is believed to wash away sins and purify the soul.
Question and Answer
Here are some common questions and answers about the Odia calendar and the festivals that take place in May:
Q: What is the significance of the Odia calendar?
A: The Odia calendar plays a crucial role in shaping the cultural traditions and festivals of Odisha. It is based on the lunar and solar cycles and is used to determine auspicious dates for weddings, housewarming ceremonies, and other important events.
Q: Why is May an important month in the Odia calendar?
A: May marks the beginning of the agricultural season in Odisha and is associated with the worship of Lord Jagannath. It is also a month that sees many important festivals and events, such as Akshaya Tritiya, Buddha Purnima, and Ganga Dussehra.
Q: What is the significance of Snana Purnima?
A: Snana Purnima is an important festival in the Jagannath temple in Puri. It marks the beginning of the annual Rath Yatra and involves a ceremonial bath of the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra.
Q: What is the Jagannath Deva Snana Yatra?
A: The Jagannath Deva Snana Yatra is a month-long festival that takes place in the Jagannath temple in Puri. It begins on the day of Snana Purnima and involves the adornment of the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra with new clothes and jewellery.
Conclusion
May is an important month in the Odia calendar, and it sees the celebration of many important festivals and events. Whether it is the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya or the celebration of Lord Mahavir’s birth anniversary, there is something for everyone in this month. I hope this guide has helped you understand the significance of the Odia calendar and the festivals that take place in May.