Cuttack, 20/11: This year some new features have been added to the tradition of Cuttack Baliyatra, which concluded this evening. The foremost among the new feature is Mahanadi aarti.

As the sun sets over Mahanadi, its river bed, which is the venue of Baliyatra festival, the atmosphere is filled with devotion. Aarti is offered to Mahanadi and the Sun God. This was the regular feature every evening during the festival.

Similarly, colourful cultural programmes are staged every evening on the stage meant for presentation of folk art and folk music.

Baliyatra cannot be perceived without Mahanadi. The age-long festival is being held on the vast expanse of Mahanadi river bed. To commemorate the contribution of Mahanadi to Odia culture and tradition, the organizers of Cuttack Baliyatra have introduced this new feature of Mahanadi aarti.

Boat ride was the another new feature added to the Baliyatra extravaganza this year. People were gathering on the Mahanadi river bed to enjoy the boat ride and offer aarti to the river, which flows besides the millennium city.

This year, a separate platform was built for the presentation of folk art and folk dance. Patha Utsav was being staged on day time, while the folk and culture was being showcased every evening.

Earlier, cultural programmes used to be staged every year on Baisnab Pani Manch. But this year, there was an exception with modern rock dances were performed on this stage. But cultural programmes were staged on the new platform,  away from public glare !