Bali Jatra Festival is among the top Favorite Festival organized in Odisha
Odisha Favorite Festival -Bali Jatra Festival
In the Hindu month of Kartik (October - November), the town of Cuttack in Odisha celebrates a renowned festival referred to as Bali Jatra. The name Bali Jatra means 'A Voyage to Bali'.
This popular festival of Odisha marks its beginning from the day of full-of-the-moon and continues for the subsequent seven days at Gadagadia Ghat of the River Mahanadi where they worship the Lord Kartikeswar - the presiding deity of this festival.
Moreover, through this festival, the locals also commemorate that day when sailors of Odisha First Crusade to distant lands of Java, Bali, Borneo, Sri Lanka, and Sumatra.
To pay their homage, regional people make the synthetic boat (made from paper, barks of the banana, and cork) and float it within the water. Besides, the festival also observes the tradition of lighting lamps within the boat which is named Boita Bandana.
This boasts a tremendous landscape of countless boats lit with lamps.
The legend of the festival says that the Odishan mariners considered the day of Poornima (full moon) highly auspicious to start out any sail to distant lands. Moreover, today, a grand fair is additionally organized where quite 24 states of traditional items are kept on display.
Gandi Shilpa Bazaar is another attraction of the festival that boasts around 150 stalls of handicraft items and traditional silver. Also, the concerned authority also organizes boating opportunities for visitors which is the highlight of this beautiful festival in Cuttack.
Celebration Date/Month
Bali Jatra festival is observed on the day of Poornima (full moon) within the auspicious month of Kartikeya (October-November) and continues for the subsequent seven days.
In 2018, Bali Jatra is going to be held from 4th November to 10th November.
Highlights of the Festival
Over 1300 stalls, comprising modern technology, household crafts, and traditional items, are put abreast of display across the lower and upper region of Bali Jatra grounds.
Being one among the most important festivals in Odisha, Bali Jatra receives nearly 3 lakhs of tourists per annum.
The festival also includes a national-level Pallishree Mela that houses traditional goods from 24 states of India
Places To Visit Near Bhubaneswar:
Dhauli Hills, Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves, Bindu Sarovara, Nandan Kanan Zoological Park, and Temples of Mukteswar. Lingaraj Temple, Brahmeswara, & Parasurameswara, ISKCON Temple, Raja Rani Temple, Odisha State Museum, Museum of Tribal Arts & Artefact.
Famous Places to Visit In Odisha :
5 - Gupteswar Lord Shiva Temple
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