Chaiti Mahotsav: Celebrating Tribal India.
Rayagada
On the eastern coast of the Indian subcontinent lies a land of art, culture, festivals, devotion, and tranquility. This place is adorned with lush forests, cascading waterfalls, terraced valleys, and bubbling springs—where nature reveals one of its most exquisite facets. Often hailed as the Soul of Incredible India, Odisha boasts a rich and vibrant cultural heritage, encompassing historical monuments, temples, monasteries, sculptures, traditional arts, music, dance, and its peace-loving inhabitants.
Rayagada, a district in southern Odisha, gained independent status in October 1992. It is renowned for its prominent local attractions across Odisha. Rayagada stands out as the state’s most significant region due to its extensive human history and its role as an industrial hub. The area’s illustrious past is evident through copper plates, rock inscriptions, and various coins, all pointing to its historical prominence. Maharajah Vishwanath Dev Gajapati of the Suryavansh dynasty of Jeypore founded Rayagada.
The city is multilingual, with Odia being the primary language, alongside Kui, Sora, and other tribal languages. Rayagada’s fame is closely tied to the revered goddess “Maa Majhighariani.”
As Rayagada rapidly expands, its global recognition grows. Tourist attractions like the Hanging Bridge, Chatikona Falls, and Devagiri Hills captivate nature enthusiasts. Undoubtedly, more and more tourists are drawn to this paradise. The district’s geography provides an ideal platform for sustaining the ethnocultural identity of its tribal communities. Among these, the Kondhas and their sub-tribes, including the Souras, form the majority.
What is Chaiti?
The Chaiti Festival is an annual cultural event held in Rayagada district, Odisha, India. It was established in 2005 to celebrate tribal culture and is celebrated at the block, sub-divisional, and district levels. The first Chaiti Festival was organized as a large event by the then District Magistrate Dr. Pramod Kumar Meherda. The festival takes place over the last few days of the year at the GCD High School ground by the District Council of Culture (DCC), Rayagada. This event highlights the rich tribal art and culture of the district, featuring over 500 artists from across the country. It is a major tourist attraction in the district.
Activities Conducted
The Chaiti Festival encompasses many exciting activites. They are -
Marathon, Volley Ball, Kabaddi, Badminton, Basketball, etc...
Artists from different regions of Odisha participate in the cultural programme.
Tribes from all over Odisha sell their products in the Tribal Fair.