Kalinga Mahotsav

କଳିଙ୍ଗ ମହୋତ୍ସବ

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Arts & CultureBhubaneswar
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsKalinga Mahotsav is staged at Dhauli, the
LanguageHindi, English, and local languagesCurrency: INR
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Kalinga Mahotsav in Bhubaneswar

Kalinga Mahotsav is a national martial dance festival staged near Dhauli hill outside Bhubaneswar, the site where Ashoka renounced war after the Kalinga campaign. Founded by Italian-born Odissi dancer Ileana Citaristi, it brings Chhau, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta, Paika Akhada and other combat-derived dance traditions to one stage as a tribute to the Kalinga War dead and a celebration of peace.

Dhauli hill outside Bhubaneswar marks the site where the Mauryan emperor Ashoka is said to have renounced warfare after witnessing the carnage of the Kalinga War around 261 BCE, a story commemorated today by a rock edict and a Japanese-built peace pagoda on the hilltop.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Kalinga Mahotsav is staged at Dhauli, the actual hilltop where Ashoka is said to have renounced warfare after the Kalinga War, giving the performances a site-specific weight most dance festivals lack

02

The mystery stays covered

Its programming is organized around martial and combat-derived dance forms specifically rather than classical dance in general, placing Odisha's own Chhau and Paika Akhada traditions alongside Kerala's Kalaripayattu and Manipur's Thang-Ta on one stage

03

The city starts moving

It was founded by Ileana Citaristi, an Italian-born dancer who built her career in Odissi after relocating to Bhubaneswar

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Performances draw on martial dance forms with roots in actual combat training

Water and renewal

Living ritual

including Chhau's masked warrior sequences and Kalaripayattu's weapon choreography

The sacred route

Living ritual

staged as tribute to the Kalinga War rather than purely as entertainment

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

For Kalinga Mahotsav, plan transport around the exact Bhubaneswar venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Comfortable outdoor evening wear; a light shawl or jacket since Dhauli evenings can turn cool and seating is open-air.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Kalinga Mahotsav, stay near the part of Bhubaneswar you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

INR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map20.27 N, 85.83 EOpen in Google Maps

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Nearest airportBBI — Biju Patnaik
TransportFor Kalinga Mahotsav, plan transport around the exact Bhubaneswar venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Kalinga Mahotsav, stay near the part of Bhubaneswar you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Bhubaneswar via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Bhubaneswar, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable outdoor evening wear; a light shawl or jacket since Dhauli evenings can turn cool and seating is open-air.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for India and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Kalinga Mahotsav?

Kalinga Mahotsav is listed for February. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Kalinga Mahotsav take place?

The festival is listed in Bhubaneswar, India. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLkalingahospital.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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