The integral part of human travel from ancient age has been the result of interlinking of religion and tourism. Religious tourism, the tourism which is motivated by the belief and faith has been proved from the millennia. The symbolic and hectic nature of modern tourism has become sought after touristic activities due to the numerous religious festivals which are very often termed as a sacred sojourn. That is how festival tourism has been considered as one of the prominent part of religious tourism, more concentrated with spiritualism, divinity, blending with and driving towards culture, tradition, and heritage. Festival tourism is now viewed as an alternative to the religious tourism for cultural and heritage resurgence, renaissance and awakening, transcending the border of religiosity into universal humanity and spirituality. This paper aims to highlight the emerging nature of festival tourism in a small state like Odisha , India and the author has been able to formulate the different strategic approach of destination management and marketing considering the various attributes of festival tourism and in the same time pointing out the various roles and responsibilities of DMMO for the smooth and effective destination development.