The Odia drape is close in structure to the Bengali drape — the pallu faces forward over the right shoulder — but with a regional distinction in how the inner layers are arranged. In the Odia style, the pleats are made at the front like Nivi but are turned to face right (not left), and the fabric arrangement creates more visible layering at the hip. It is the standard drape for Odisha state festivals, Rath Yatra celebrations, and Odia weddings, and pairs naturally with Sambalpuri and Ikkat sarees.
Tuck the plain end of the saree into the petticoat at the left hip (note: Odia begins on the left, not the right).
Wrap the fabric around the body from left to right.
Make 5 to 7 pleats at the front, but tuck them into the petticoat just right of centre, with pleats facing right (opposite to Nivi).
Wrap the remaining fabric around the body from right to left.
Bring the remaining fabric (the pallu) across the front of the body from left to right.
Drape the pallu over the right shoulder so it falls behind the back.
Pin the pallu at the right shoulder seam.
Let the decorative end of the pallu hang at the back on the right side.
Arrange the front so two layers of fabric are visible at the hip, with the border running cleanly at the hem.
Sambalpuri ikat sarees have patterns woven into both the body and the pallu — the right-shoulder pallu direction in Odia style keeps both visible at the front.
The right-facing pleats create a slightly different hip shape than Nivi — check in a full-length mirror before the event.
Pin at the right shoulder and at the right hip where the pallu crosses the front to prevent it from sliding forward.
You are not familiar with the left-starting tuck — it reverses the instinct of anyone who drapes Nivi regularly
Odia women at Rath Yatra, Durga Puja, and weddings who want the traditional state draping style that shows the full Sambalpuri or Ikkat pattern.
Aparajita Mohanty at Odia cultural events and state award ceremonies