The cultural festival of Rayagada district, named Chaiti Utsav or Chaiti Parab, will be held from 25-27 November 2011. The districts of undivided Koraput are known for their annual cultural festivals. These festivals have come a long way since the inception of 'Dongar' festival in Koraput in the early 90s. These festivals serves to not only highlight the rich cultural heritage of these districts, but also act as medium of cultural exchange, with number of troupes from different districts of Odisha and also from other states of the country.
'Chaiti festiva'l was organised every year but for some reason it was discontinued in between for almost 5 years. In 2009, the then Collector of Rayagada, Sri. Krishna Gopal Mahapatra revived the tradition and it was thereafter celebrated with great enthusiasm last year.
Last year the festival was kick started from the religious location of Devagiri, a temple in the natural cave formation in a hillock in Kalyansinghpur block. This year it is proposed to be inaugurated from the ancient Siva mandir site of Paikapada. This temple of about 1000 years old and it an important landmark in the history of this district.
ANCIENT SIVA MANDIR IN PAIKAPADA, RAYAGADA DISTRICT, ORISSA
ANCIENT SIVA MANDIR IN PAIKAPADA, RAYAGADA DISTRICT, ORISSA
The theme of the cultural festival this year is going to be 'conservation of environment'. The East Zone Cultural Council has been requested to send some troupes for this festival. Eminent groups and artists from all over the country are likely to perform in this festival.
The uniqueness of this year is that three districts os the erstwhile undivided Koraput i.e, Rayagada. Koraput and Malkangiri will be jointly celebrating their cultural festival in sequence, i.e, Koraput from 16-19, Malkangiri from 21-23 and Rayagada from 25-27 November 2011. This will not only help augment the resources, but also will help in getting quality troupes and artists. also for the performing troupes it will be convenient and also economical.
