Cuttack: Highlighting Odisha’s rich maritime legacy, the historic Bali Jatra begins in Odisha’s Cuttack city on Wednesday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is slated to inaugurate the carnival in the evening in the presence of Indonesian Ambassador Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi.
The grand festival, billed as Asia’s largest open-air trade carnival, will continue till November 12 at a fairground spread over 60 acres, featuring shopping, entertainment, and a wide variety of food stalls.
Thousands of traders have already set up their stalls, expecting lakhs of visitors each day.
In the run up to the mega festival, both the upper and the lower riverbanks of the Mahanadi have been beautifully transformed into a vibrant cultural hub.
Officials said around 1,700 stalls, including those from Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) and from other states, have been opened at Bali Jatra ground. It will feature traditional handicrafts and handlooms to modern lifestyle products.
Under a unique ‘Cuttack in Cuttack’ segment, the festival will showcase the indigenous art and culture of Odisha, promote Odia language, literature, and culture, and offer many other attractions.
Adding to the delight of the visitors, a series of cultural programmes has been lined up featuring top artists, including Bollywood playback singer Shreya Ghoshal, and leading names from Ollywood.
In view of the massive gathering, security arrangements have been strengthened and made foolproof by the Commissionerate Police. Around 20 control rooms have been set up across the fairground, and the entire area is under CCTV and drone surveillance.
While police personnel in strength have been deployed for crowd management, special teams are monitoring key entry and exit points. Strict traffic and parking plans have been implemented to avoid congestion.
this apart, the Fire Service Department has stationed fire tenders at multiple locations and is on high alert to respond swiftly to any emergency.
“Heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all on the occasion of the world-famous Baliyatra, which highlights Odisha’s glorious maritime trade tradition and cultural heritage. This tradition is the lifeblood of Odisha’s pride and culture,” tweeted Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also wished all on the auspicious occasion of Bali Jatra in a post on X handle.
