Why in news?
The annual Baliyatra festival began on the banks of the Mahanadi river in Cuttack, Odisha, coinciding with the full moon of Kartika Purnima. The festival celebrates the ancient seafaring voyages of Kalinga traders to Bali and other Southeast Asian islands. In 2025, President Droupadi Murmu greeted participants and highlighted the importance of preserving maritime traditions.
Background
“Baliyatra” literally means “voyage to Bali”. From around the 2nd century BCE, traders from Kalinga (modern‑day Odisha) undertook risky expeditions across the Bay of Bengal to ports in Bali, Sumatra and Sri Lanka. They carried textiles, spices and precious stones and returned with aromatic wood, gold and cultural influences. After the decline of maritime trade, the memory of these voyages endured in folk songs and rituals.
How the festival is observed
- Boita Bandana: At dawn on Kartika Purnima, people release miniature paper boats or boitas with lamps and incense into rivers and ponds. This ritual honours the sailors who once set sail for foreign shores.
- Grand fair: A week‑long fair on the banks of the Mahanadi features handicraft stalls, traditional food, cultural performances and amusement rides. It is one of India’s largest open‑air fairs, drawing millions of visitors.
- Cultural programmes: Folk dances, maritime plays and exhibitions showcase Odisha’s shipbuilding skills and its influence on Southeast Asian art and architecture.
Significance
- Preserving heritage: Baliyatra keeps alive the memory of Odisha’s maritime past and highlights India’s historical links with Southeast Asia.
- Boosting tourism: The festival attracts tourists from across India and abroad, promoting local artisans and strengthening Cuttack’s economy.
- Promoting cultural exchange: Artists from Bali and other countries sometimes participate in the fair, reflecting a continuing bond between cultures.
Source
News On Air – President extends greetings on Baliyatra festival