Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu is set to inaugurate the historic Bali Jatra in Odisha’s Kataka city as the chief guest on November 24.
Confirming the President’s programme, the Kataka district administration said Murmu will grace the occasion as the chief guest, adding to the significance of this year’s grand celebration of Odisha’s rich maritime heritage and cultural traditions
The annual Bali Jatra, organised on the banks of the Mahanadi River, is slated to begin on November 24 and continue till December 1.
The state government, Kataka district administration and Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) have stepped up preparations to make the event more spectacular and well-organised this year.
In a major move, the eight-day trade fair will be organised across both the upper and lower grounds, unlike previous arrangements. The administration is also planning to increase parking facilities compared to last year to accommodate the expected rush of visitors.
Special arrangements are being made for crowd management, traffic regulation, security and vehicle parking to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival.
A wide range of entertainment activities have been planned for visitors. A major attraction this year will be water sports on the Mahanadi River. According to the administration, water sports facilities will remain available throughout the eight-day festival.
With the President’s participation and several new attractions planned, the Cuttack district administration is making efforts to give Bali Yatra 2026 a grander scale and provide visitors with a memorable experience.
