Bali Jatra
Bāli Jātrā, , is the major Boita Bandana festival held at Cuttack on Kartik Purnima and lasts for 7 days or more, i.e. usually until Prathamastami. It is considered to be one of Asia's largest open trade fair. The festival is held in Odisha, in the city of Cuttack at Gadagadia Ghata of the Mahanadi river, to mark the day when ancient Sadhabas would set sail to distant lands of Bali, as well as Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Sri Lanka for trade and cultural expansion. To commemorate this, the festival is celebrated every year from the day of Kartika Purnima to Prathamastami according to the Odia calendar.
Overview
On Kartika Purnima, which comes around the end of October and November, people of Odisha gather near banks of Mahanadi, Brahmani river, other river banks, ponds, water tanks and sea shores to float miniature toy boats, made of colored paper, dried banana tree barks, and cork, as a symbolic gesture of their ancestors' voyage. These toy boats, usually launched early in the morning contain traditional paan and small oil lamps, which are lit and placed inside them, to provide an attractive sight during the festival. People sing a song Aa ka ma boi, pan gua thoi... to remember the early maritime history of Odisha. The song tells about four months that are important for marine merchants of Kalinga. This festival is also celebrated with great fanfare in Paradeep. Bali Jatra bears testimony to the rich maritime legacy of ancient Odisha. This is the specific time that was considered auspicious by the Sadhabas to begin their voyage in vessels called Boitas. The voyage began on Kartika Purnima to take advantage of the favorable wind blowing during this time. Ajhala or big fabric sails were used to harness the wind power to move the Boitas.Bali Jatra is also associated with Ta'apoi and rituals like Bhalukuni Osha or Khudurukuni Osha and Bada Osha. Ta'apoi is closely associated with the Bali Jatra festival, which recalls traditional memories of young maidens waiting for the return of their sailor brothers.
Cuttack
In Cuttack, Bali Jatra is celebrated annually as a large open fair near the Barabati Fort area. There are several attractions for children like toy stalls, giant wheels, different games, maut ka kuan and food stalls selling Odia delicacies from different parts of the state, and other vendors selling toys, curiosities, and other gifts. Bali Jatra also witnesses a lot of cultural programs. Every year millions of people from all around the world visit Bali Jatra to experience it.Bali Jatra 2022
Like most carnivals, Bali Jatra was also affected by the pandemic. Due to COVID-19 Bali Jatra was canceled in the year 2020 and 2021.However, it came back in bigger and grander avatar in 2022. Under the leadership of new CMC Mayor Subhash Singh, District Collector Bhabani Shankar Chaini and Commissioner Pawan Kalyan, Balijatra was extended to 100 Acres and included additional attractions like water sports in Mahanadi river, Laser show, Cuttack-in-Cuttack etc.
There were two stages, one Baishnab Pani Manch for organizing traditional cultural programme and another for holding modern cultural events catering to the young crowd. In addition to it a special pavilion was set up for holding discussion on different themes regarding the cultural heritage of Odisha. It also featured World’s biggest sand and diya installation art on Boita by Sudarsan Pattnaik.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentioned the grandeur of Bali Jatra in his G20 speech in Bali.
Mention in Guinness Book of World Records
In 2022, Bali Jatra etched its name in the Guinness Book of World Records at an event organised by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation under the leadership of Cuttack Mayor Subhash Singh and Commissioner Pawan Kalyan.More than 2100 students of 22 schools made over 22,000 paper boats in 35 minutes, creating the world record.