Cuttack: Like previous year, Cuttack Baliyatra lovers will miss the fair this year as well. The world-famous festival will not be organised this year owing to the prevailing pandemic, district Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayani said Tuesday.
Considering the fact that the annual seven-day festival attracts lakhs of revellers from far and near, the district administration has taken the decision against organising it.
Since this has been an occasion for artisans, small businessmen, self help groups and cottage industries to earn a decent earning, the announcement has disappointed them.
If the Millennium City is known for Durga puja, it is also synonymous with Baliyatra festival. It has already become an inalienable part of the city’s culture.
The festival kick starts on the Boita Bandana Utsav on the last day of holy Kartika month on the banks of Mahanadi River, adjacent to Barabati fort. Hundreds of stalls sell local made and exotic items. Different types of joyrides and food courts are also a major attraction for visitors.
The festival reminds people of the rich maritime glory of Odisha. The traders of Odisha known as Sadhabas used to sail to Bali, Java, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Borneo etc on this day in the distant past. The voyages used to start on the day of the full moon in Kartika month.
PNN