Bali Jatra

Bali Jatra in Orissa is celebrated in the month of Karthik. Held on the full-moon day, Bali Jatra at Orissa marks the culmination of the festivities of Karthik, the most auspicious month according to the Hindu calendar.

Bali Yatri of Orissa commemorates the legacy of the maritime cultures. This day is considered to be the most auspicious day. Therefore, the traders in Orissa embark on a journey to the islands of Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Ceylon and Bali on this day.

The Tourism of Orissa offers impressive packages during the festival. Tourists can unravel the mystic charm of Orissa through the Bali Jatra fair and festival. It goes without mention that the Bali Jatri fair is among the most popular fairs of Orissa, which is held on the banks of river Mahanadi.

The Bali Jatra fair is held for about 3 or 4 days and is attended by a large number of enthusiasts. The fair is marked by fun and frolic. The entire territory comes agog during the Bali Jatra fair and festival of Orissa.

During Bali Jatra, people make paper boats and float it on the sea shores or on the river banks. The floating of the boats is a symbolic gesture of the expedition to the distant islands of Bali, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Ceylon, etc. The festival, celebrated during October-November helps the people of Orissa to relive their maritime legacy.