Bhubaneswar: The 8-day long historic Bali Yatra began on a high note on the bank of river Mahanadi near Gadagadia ghat in Cuttack on the occasion of Karttika Purnima today.
The largest maritime trade fair has witnessed over 14,00 stalls this year including 420 allotted by ORMAS (Odisha Rural Development & Marketing Society).
The ORMAS stalls are set up at a special gallery, called Cuttack-in-Cuttack Pavilion to showcase ‘rural Cuttack
It will display the village culture, tradition and others. Along with this, 30 feet high sand art, LED lights and laser show are the prime centre of attraction.
The major attraction of this year’s Bali Yatra is the first-ever Aquarium Tunnel. Revellers will enjoy the walk-through tunnel aquarium and watch various marine creatures.
More than a thousand species of marine fish will be exhibited in the 200-foot-long, 60-foot-wide tunnel aquarium. Small sharks, jellyfish and various colorful fishes and octopuses will attract the eyeballs of visitors.
It will offer a unique experience of watching marine as well as freshwater fish up-close.
The fair considered as Asia’s largest open-air trade symbolises strong historical ties between Odisha and Southeast Asia.
The Boita Bandana which is performed on Karttika Purnima, marks the beginning of the Bali Yatra. Odia people float miniature boats made of cork, coloured paper, and banana tree barks in the river or water bodies with lighted lamps to commemorate the rich maritime trade of the state.
