Berhampur, Feb 2: Following the successful Gopalpur Beach Festival 2026, the Ganjam district administration is all set to host the Sunapur Beach Festival from February 3 to 5, 2026. The announcement was made during a press conference held on Saturday in Chikiti, chaired by Chikiti MLA Manoranjan Dyan Samantara, along with Collector V Keerthi Vasan, Berhampur Sub-Collector Avinash Kumar, and local officials from Chikiti and Patrapur blocks.

The much-awaited festival will kick off with traditional rituals, including the collection of sacred garlands from revered local deities such as Maa Balakumari of Chikiti, Bagalamukhi, Maa Katheswari, and Maa Ulkeswari of Sunapur. As in Gopalpur, the event will begin with the ‘Samudra Alati,’ a ceremonial offering to the sea, performed by priests and scholars.

One of the highlights of the festival is a marathon race scheduled for the morning of February 3. The race will take place from Surla junction to Jagapur, setting an energetic tone for the festivities.

The Sunapur Beach Festival will also see the participation of prominent figures, with the Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker, state ministers, and various MLAs likely to attend as chief and special guests on different days of the event. The festival will feature live performances from renowned Ollywood and Bollywood singers, adding a musical flair to the celebration.

In addition to entertainment, around 60 stalls will be set up as part of the Pallishree Mela, where government departments, as well as merchants from various districts of Odisha and other states, will showcase handlooms, local products, and traditional food items.

With a blend of cultural, religious, and sporting events, the Sunapur Beach Festival is poised to attract a large number of visitors and offer a vibrant celebration of Odisha's coastal beauty and traditions.