Cuttack: The spirit of Odisha’s glorious maritime past came alive on the banks of the Mahanadi as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the historic Bali Yatra Cuttack-2025 on Wednesday evening. Arriving in a traditional style aboard the Kalinga Tarangini boat, the Chief Minister formally opened the mega cultural and trade fair at the Gadagadia Ghat, marking the beginning of one of Asia’s largest open-air festivals.
The Chief Minister first inaugurated the ORMAS pavilion and Cuttack-in-Cuttack exhibition before declaring the historic Bali Yatra open. The grand inaugural ceremony took place at the Gana Kabi Baishnab Pani stage on the Lower Bali Yatra ground, attended by dignitaries including Indonesia’s Ambassador to India Ina H. Krishnamurthy, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, and Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Majhi paid rich tribute to the legendary Sadhaba sons of Kalinga, who set sail centuries ago for Java, Sumatra, Bali, and other Southeast Asian lands for trade and cultural exchange.
“Hundreds of years ago, our Sadhaba people embarked on sea voyages for trade, while their wives performed Boita Bandana rituals for their safe return. Bali Yatra is not just a fair—it is a living heritage of Odisha’s pride, courage, and maritime glory,” he said.
Majhi highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the festival, describing it as a “beautiful reflection of Odisha’s art, culture, and spiritual ethos.” He noted that Odisha’s 480-km coastline, along with its abundant natural and human resources, offers immense potential for building a port-based economy, reaffirming the government’s commitment to this vision.
Recalling Odisha’s literary heritage, the Chief Minister cited references to Taapoi, Khudurukuni, and Sadhaba culture in the works of poets like Radhanath Ray, Madhusudan Rao, and Gopabandhu Das, emphasizing that Bali Yatra continues to embody the essence of Odia folk tradition.
“Cuttack, the thousand-year-old Silver City, thrives between the Mahanadi and Kathajodi rivers. As our ancestors once navigated the seas by watching the stars and winds, today’s youth must navigate the modern world with knowledge, technology, and courage,” Majhi said.
Indonesia’s Ambassador Ina H. Krishnamurthy expressed gratitude for her country’s participation as the partner nation at Bali Yatra 2025, stating that “the sea cannot separate Odisha and Indonesia,” and recalling ancient maritime links between India and the “Golden Land” (Suvarnabhumi).
MP Bhartruhari Mahtab urged citizens to draw inspiration from history while moving forward with confidence in future generations. Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj added that Bali Yatra symbolizes the strength and independence of the Odia nation—one that has never bowed before others.
As the illuminated fairgrounds of Cuttack came alive with cultural performances, crafts, and traditional food stalls, the opening day of Bali Yatra Cuttack-2025 celebrated both Odisha’s timeless heritage and its aspirations for the future.
