Bali Yatra 2023 Date, Time, Celebrations & Importance
During the Hindu month of Kartik (October – November), the city of Cuttack in the state of Odisha celebrates the renowned Bali Jatra festival. The name Bali Jatra translates to “A Journey to Bali.” This popular Odisha festival begins on the day of the full moon and continues for seven days at Gadagadia Ghat on the River Mahanadi, where they worship Lord Kartikeswar, the festival’s presiding deity. In addition, through this festival, the locals commemorate the day when Odisha’s mariners first embarked on a crusade to Java, Bali, Borneo, Sri Lanka, and Sumatra. To pay their respects, locals construct an artificial canoe out of paper, banana tree bark, and cork and float it on the water. Additionally, the festival observes the tradition of igniting lamps on the Boita Bandana boat. This landscape consists of countless vessels illuminated by lamps.
Bali Jatra Date 2023
Monday, 27 November 2023
Celebrations on Bali Jatra
The Baliyatra was organised by the Cuttack district administration and Cuttack Municipal Corporation in collaboration with a number of other government entities. Thousands of people from Cuttack and neighbouring districts attended the Mahanadi riverside open-air festival.
The Baliyatra has commercial significance in addition to cultural and historical significance. It is a prosperous period for businesses because product prices are relatively low. The district administrator auctions off more than 1,500 plots for vendors. Over the course of nine days, the exhibition is anticipated to generate more than Rs. 100 crore in revenue.
Following the pandemic, this year’s festival was expanded. The event was conducted on an 85-acre plot of land. The government extended it to assist businesses and women-led SHGs increase their profits. A special event was also held at Barabati Stadium, where 2,100 students created 22,000 paper watercraft in 35 minutes at a single location. The Guinness World Record recognised “the most people simultaneously folding origami sculptures.”
Importance of Bali Jatra
Recently, the Festival of Bali Yatra has acquired immense significance, as tourists from all over the world travel to Orissa to experience its culture during the festival. During the festival, the government of Orissa organises numerous tours and packages for travellers to experience the state’s culture and wealth in depth. This festival illuminates Orissa’s renowned culture and vibrancy, which make the state famous.
