Bali Jatra begins in Odisha to celebrate ancient sea-trading history

Cuttack: Bali Jatra (Asia’s largest open-air trade fair), starts to celebrate Odisha’s ancient sea-trading history. This year’s fair opens on Kartik Purnima and will run until 22nd November in Cuttack. Bali Jatra, meaning “Journey to Bali”, honours old tradition of traders sailing to distant lands in boats called Boitas from the Mahanadi River during Kartik Purnima. While the fair has changed, the excitement and spirit remain the same. The festival stirs up warm memories of Odisha’s rich heritage and amazes visitors. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will officially open the festival. Each evening, cultural groups from Odisha and other states will perform dances like Odissi, Chhau, Bihu, Mahari, Gotipua, Sambalpuri, and Santali folk.Around 2,500 stalls will showcase crafts, household items, and foods for visitors. Police have made thorough security plans for the crowd expected at the fairgrounds.According to the Ministry of External Affairs, ambassadors, High Commissioners and Heads of Mission of 14 countries and their spouses as well as several other diplomats attended the Bali Jatra Cuttack Utsav 2024.As India marks a decade of Act East Policy this year, the festival also attained an international profile by participation from ASEAN, BIMSTEC and Pacific Island countries including the performances of their visiting cultural troupes during the entire week.Bali Jatra (Voyage to Bali) celebrates rich maritime history and commemorates Bharat’s historical and civilisational links with Southeast Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific, which have evolved through the maritime journeys undertaken by Bharatiya seafarers over thousands of years.