Chhau Dance

The Chhau dance is prevalent in the tribal belt of the bordering areas of the provinces of Orissa, Jharkhand and West- Bengal in eastern India. The dances are performed by many different communities such as as Mundas, Mahatos, Kalindis, Pattnaiks, Samals, Darogas, Mohantys, Acharyas, Bhols, Kars, Dubeys, and Sahoos, whereas the musicians come from the communities such as Mukhis, Kalindis, Ghadheis, Dhada.

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Chitalagi Amabasya

Chitalagi or 'Chitaou Amavasya' is one such festival of Odisha which is being celebrated on the new moon day of the month 'Shravana' (August). On this day, in the temple of Jagannath, the deity bears a golden mark (Chita) on his forehead. A special variety of rice-cake known as 'Chitou Pitha' is being offered to the deity. It is in the primitive tradition to appease evil powers through worship whether they are animals, serpents, insects or plants. People worship and pray them to avoid their wrath. Therefore, during the festival the pilas (one species of molluscs) is appeased as a female form of evil power known as 'Gandeisuni' (Genda means Pila). The farmer girls go to the fields and while offering cakes pray. "Oh; Gandeisuni, be appeased and do not cut the legs of my father or brother who will be working in this field".

Chitra – Vichitra Mela

Chitra Vichitra Mela is one of the largest, purely Adivasi (tribal) festivals of Gujarat associated with the Garasis and Bhil tribes. It takes place every year in the village Gujbhakhari in Poshina block of the Sabarkantha District of Gujarat and is held a fortnight after Holi (the festival of colours) on the new moon day.

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Chhadakhai

In the sacred month of Kartika (October-November) many people forego their favourite non-vegetarian dishes till Kartika Purnima as part of sacred ritual. The day after the full moon is the great day of release from this religious taboo and all indulge in non-vegetarian dishes to their heart's content. Some believes that during this month fishes are in gravid stage or spawn their eggs and to maintain the biodiversity, it is linked to give up the non-vegetarian food.

Cock Fight

Cockfight is a blood sport between two roosters (cocks), held in a ring called a cockpit. Two owners of the cock place their game cock in the cockpit. The cocks fight until one of them dies or is critically injured. Cockfighting is a favorite sport of people living in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Balasore district of Odisha.

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