Bihan Thapa is an important spring festival of
Paraja tribe, who resides in the state of
Orissa. The major celebrations are held at
Baripada, the administrative headquarters of
Mayurbhanj District.
This festival is observed for three days prior to the Maha Visubha Sankranti, which generally falls on 13th or 14th April. On this auspicious occasion, people perform Chhau dance and worship Jhankar Debta (the Earth Goddess). The festival is also known by different names such as Chaita Parab and Chhau festival.
