Bhubaneswar, Nov 14: The much-anticipated Cuttack Baliyatra festival is poised to make a global mark this year, with ambassadors and diplomats from 13 countries joining the event. The nine-day celebration, beginning tommorrow will offer a unique blend of international and local experiences with cultural performances, foreign stalls, and traditional delicacies, said Cuttack District Collector Dattatreya B Shinde on Thursday.
Collector Shinde shared that Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will officially inaugurate the festival on Friday with numerous international representatives in attendance. "Artists from various countries will be showcasing their talents, and the ‘Pitha Mahotsav’ will introduce traditional foreign delicacies alongside Odia specialties," he said.
In its mission to bring global recognition to Baliyatra, the festival will host spectacular attractions including a laser show and, for the first time, a drone display on the Mahanadi River featuring 400 drones. Spanning 34 acres, with an additional 8 acres for specific activities, the festival grounds boast over 2,500 stalls, and approximately 7 lakh visitors are expected. Special accommodations have been made for the elderly and differently-abled, such as six eight-seater golf carts, 30 e-rickshaws, and an increase in the number of toilets to 380 from 200 last year.
Highlighting the cultural offerings, Shinde added, "The festival will celebrate Odia heritage and cinema with a dedicated Film Festival screening popular Odia films in three shows daily, including screenings at the Biju Patnaik Film Institute. Additionally, Bollywood Nights featuring vibrant performances will add to the festival's charm."
With comprehensive preparations complete, Cuttack’s Baliyatra is set to be a remarkable cultural showcase on an international platform.
