Cuttack: Odisha’s largest trade and commerce fair Bali Jatra kick-started on the banks of Mahanadi river in Odisha’s Cuttack city on Friday.
The ten-day long fair will end on December 2.
Bali Jatra was inaugurated by Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera in the presence of Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera, Tourism and Culture Minister Ashok Panda, Health Minister Pratap Jena and local leaders along with the officials of the district administration.
The annual festival is held to commemorate and celebrate the glorious maritime history of Odisha. On the day, ancient Sadhabas (ancient mariners) would set sail to distant lands of Bali, for trade and cultural expansion.
It also marks the culmination of all the religious festivities held in the month of Karthik, which is considered as the most auspicious month of the 12 months in a calendar year.
This year, 1300 stalls have been put up on 44 acres at the venue of which 350 stalls have been earmarked for the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS). Apart from this, more than 1000 roadside vendors have put up their shops.