Bhubaneswar: The historic Mukteswar Temple in Bhubaneswar became the epicenter of spiritual and artistic grandeur as the three days long Annual Mukteswar Dance Festival commenced under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi. Minister Culture, Shri Surjyabanshi Suraj graced the occasion.
Organised with meticulous precision by the Department of Odia Language, Literature and Culture, the festival serves as a luminous tribute to the state’s classical heritage.
Under the watchful guidance of Secretary Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, the event has been lauded for its flawless execution and the impartial selection of artists who brought the sacred courtyard to life with Odissi dance par excellence.
As the sun sets over the intricate stone carvings of the 10th-century monument, the evening air fills with the divine resonance of Shiva Vandana, marking the start of performances every evening from 6.00 pm onwards. The three-day cultural odyssey, spanning from 23rd to 25th January 2026, showcases a diverse array of talent from across the nation and beyond.
The inaugural evening on 23rd January set a high standard for the festival. The program opened with a chorus by the GKCM Odissi Research Centre, followed by a captivating solo performance by Kaustavi Sarkar from the USA. The stage then transitioned to a harmonious duet by Bibhu Prasad Behera and Akankhya Das of Bhubaneswar, concluding with a powerful group presentation by Biswanath Sangeetalaya, Cuttack.
On the second evening, 24th January, the spiritual momentum will continue with the Shiva Vandana performed by Sangita Panda and Group. The solo segment featured Rinku Kumar Sahoo from Sambalpur, while the duet performance brought a cross-cultural flavor with Rahul Varshney and Mridula Naik representing Uttar Pradesh. The night reached its crescendo with the Tridhara group from Bhubaneswar, whose movements echoed the temple’s architectural rhythm.
The festival will be come to an end 25 January with a chorus from the Utkal University of Culture. The final solo performance will be graced by Lucky Prajna Pratisthita Mohanty of Cuttack, followed by a duet from Sayani Chakraborty and Subham Kumar Ojha.
The grand finale features the Odissi Dance Creation group, ensuring the festival ends on a note of celestial beauty. This once-in-a-lifetime event stands as a testament to the Government of Odisha’s commitment to Odissi dance promotion, inviting the world to witness the scintillating doyens of Indian classical dance in their most sacred element.