Odisha’s Largest Open-Air Fair ‘Bali Jatra’ To Enter Guinness World Records!

Cuttack: Bali Jatra, the largest open-air fair celebrating the rich maritime history of Odisha, is likely to enter the Guinness World Records. It is held in the vicinity of Barabati Fort, at the Gadagadia ghat on the bank of the Mahanadi in Cuttack city every year.

The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) reached out to the headquarters of the Guinness World Records in London in this regard and the civic body also received a reply, stating a list of protocols for organising the event to attempt the record.

According to sources, 10,000 paper boats are likely to be made in 15 minutes to attempt a world record and celebrate the magnificent history of Odisha. The size and weight of the paper boats have been set as per the protocols of the Guinness World Records.

Two judges from London headquarters and a five-member team from the Mumbai branch office will remain present during the event for assessment. The CMC is likely to ready the final outline of the event by October 31.

Students and citizens will be trained to make paper boats for the record. The main motive is to attain global recognition of Bali Jatra, the sources added.

After a gap of two years due to COVID restrictions, the historic Bali Jatra is being held in the Millennium City from November 8 to 14 this year.

Every year it begins on the day of Kartika Purnima, which is considered auspicious and commemorates Odia mariners’ journeys to Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Sri Lanka for trade and commerce. While it is believed that the local traders and populace would have started the fair, the Cuttack district administration has taken the responsibility of organising it for the last several decades. A Gandhi Shilpa Bazaar with over 150 stalls is also set up on the occasion.

Notably, the Odisha government recognised Cuttack’s ‘Bali Yatra’ as a state-level festival in 2019, under which, Housing and Urban Development and Culture departments will provide necessary financial assistance for organising the historic fair.