Odisha Parba 2026 Begins with Vibrant Cultural Celebrations in New Delhi
New Delhi: The three-day cultural festival Odisha Parba 2026, dedicated to the rich heritage of Odisha, commenced with great enthusiasm on Friday at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Delhi. Organised by the Odia community, the festival will continue until March 15 and showcases the diverse traditions, art forms, and cuisine of Odisha.
The festival was inaugurated by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, and Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood. The event witnessed the participation of a large number of members from the Odia community as well as residents of the national capital.
Addressing the gathering, Dharmendra Pradhan said that Odisha Parba is not merely a cultural event but a celebration of the identity and pride of the Odia community living in the National Capital Region. He described the festival as a platform where Odia people from across the country come together to share their traditions, culture, and heritage. He also noted that over the past decade the festival has evolved from a regional event into a national-level cultural platform.
Pradhan further highlighted that the coming decade will be significant for Odisha as the state approaches the centenary of its formation in 2036. He said that if the state’s 45 million people take a collective pledge, Odisha can emerge as a developed and empowered state. He added that the vision of a “Developed India” envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be realised only when states like Odisha continue to progress and prosper.
Speaking on the occasion, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said the festival reflects the depth and continuity of India’s civilisational culture. He emphasised that such events represent the timeless and unified spirit of Indian civilisation, which has embraced diversity, preserved traditions, and passed on artistic heritage from one generation to the next for thousands of years.
Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood also stressed the importance of culture in strengthening the nation. Referring to the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi, he said that a nation is not defined only by its geographical boundaries but by its traditions and cultural values. According to him, every person present at the festival represents that living cultural spirit.
Sood added that Odisha Parba, which began in 2017 under the guidance of Dharmendra Pradhan, has now become one of the major cultural events in Delhi and serves as a strong bridge connecting Odisha with the national capital.
ମୁଁ ‘ଓଡ଼ିଆ ସମାଜ’କୁ ଏହି ସୁନ୍ଦର ଆୟୋଜନ ପାଇଁ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ଜଣାଉଛି, ଯାହା ଆଜି ଏକ ଜାତୀୟ ଆନ୍ଦୋଳନରେ ପରିଣତ ହୋଇ ‘ଏକ ଭାରତ ଶ୍ରେଷ୍ଠ ଭାରତ’ର ସଂକଳ୍ପକୁ ଦୃଢ଼ୀଭୂତ କରୁଛି । ଦିଲ୍ଲୀରେ ରହୁଥିବା ସମସ୍ତ ଜନସାଧାରଣ ବିଶେଷ ଭାବରେ ମୋର ପ୍ରବାସୀ ଓଡ଼ିଆ ଭାଇଭଉଣୀମାନଙ୍କୁ ଏହି ପର୍ବକୁ ଆସି ଓଡ଼ିଶାର କଳା, ସଂସ୍କୃତି ଓ ପ୍ରକୃତିର ଅପୂର୍ବ… pic.twitter.com/j5isW3jIX9
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) March 13, 2026
Apart from cultural heritage, traditional Odia cuisine has also emerged as a major attraction at the festival. Food stalls serving regional delicacies have drawn significant attention from visitors. The event is further enlivened by captivating performances of classical, folk, and tribal dance forms, including Chhau Dance, Bagha Nacha, and Sambalpuri Dance, offering audiences a vibrant glimpse into Odisha’s dynamic cultural traditions.
