Bhubaneswar: The historic Baliyatra festival, one of Odisha’s most celebrated cultural events, began today in Cuttack, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi set to inaugurate the carnival this afternoon in the presence of Indonesian Ambassador Ina Hagniningtyas Krisnamurthi.
Taking to social media platform X, CM Majhi greeted citizens with the traditional Baliyatra chant, “Aa Ka Ma Boi, Pana Gua Thoi, Pana Gua Tora, Masaka Dharama Mora.” He extended his heartiest greetings on the occasion of Kartik Purnima and Boita Bandana, describing the festival as a celebration of Odisha’s maritime heritage, trade traditions, and cultural pride.
Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati also took to X, calling Baliyatra “a reflection of Odisha’s glorious industrial traditions and cultural heritage” and extended his greetings to the public.
Spanning over 60 acres, Baliyatra has been hailed as Asia’s largest open-air trade carnival. The fair features a variety of shopping options, entertainment zones, and food stalls. Thousands of traders have already set up their stalls, with lakhs of visitors expected daily. Both the upper and lower banks of the Mahanadi have been decorated, turning the area into a vibrant cultural hub.
Adding to the festive fervor, a series of cultural performances has been lined up, featuring renowned artists including Bollywood playback singer Shreya Ghoshal and leading Ollywood performers.
To manage the expected large crowds, the Commissionerate Police have strengthened security with 50 police platoons deployed and around 20 control rooms set up across the fairground. The entire area is under CCTV and drone surveillance to ensure smooth conduct of the event.
The festival will continue until November 12, drawing visitors from across the country to witness Odisha’s rich cultural and maritime heritage.
