Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the extension of the historic Bali Yatra festival by an additional day.
In response to the public’s keen interest and enthusiasm, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has prolonged the duration of the historic Bali Yatra festival by one more day. The festival, which commenced on November 15 on Kartik Purnima, will now conclude on its ninth day. The Chief Minister’s office relayed this information through the ‘X’ handle.
ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଆଗ୍ରହ ଓ ଉତ୍ସାହକୁ ଦୃଷ୍ଟିରେ ରଖି ମାନ୍ୟବର ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଐତିହାସିକ ବାଲିଯାତ୍ରା ଅବଧିକୁ ଆଉ ଏକ ଦିନ ବୃଦ୍ଧି କରିଛନ୍ତି। ଚଳିତ ନଭେମ୍ବର ୧୫ କାର୍ତ୍ତିକ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମାଠାରୁ ୮ଦିନ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଆୟୋଜିତ ଏହି ମହୋତ୍ସବ ନବମ ଦିବସରେ ଉଦ୍ଯାପନ ହେବ। #Balijatra2024 #Cuttack
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) November 19, 2024
Bali Yatra, one of Asia’s largest open trade fairs, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on November 15 and was originally set to conclude on November 22. With extension of last date, the maritime fair will now conclude on November 23.
For the first time, ambassadors, high commissioners, and diplomats from 14 ASEAN, BIMSTEC, and Pacific nations attended the fair, locally celebrated as ‘Bali Yatra’.
Cultural troupes from various countries performed throughout the week. Over 2,500 stalls have been set up, showcasing regional and household products, as well as delicious food from different states. This year’s festival features a new drone show with 500 drones and an impressive laser show.
The fair celebrates Odisha’s illustrious maritime heritage. Historically, Odia merchants, referred to as ‘Sadhabas’, would set sail to destinations like Bali, Java, and Sumatra on ships known as Boita, beginning their voyages on Kartika Purnima, a full moon day. To honor this proud tradition, the Bali Jatra fair is held annually in Cuttack.
