Cuttack, Nov 20: The historic Cuttack Bali Yatra also known as Bali Jatra began on Friday (November 15) on the occasion of ‘Kartika Purnima’ with a colorful start and will continue till November 23 instead of November 22 with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extending the annual trade fair by one more day.
The festival is organised on the banks of Mahanadi River every year to mark the time when ‘Sadhabas’ of Odisha used to set sail to Bali, Sumatra and Java in Indonesia, Borneo and Sri Lanka in ancient times for the expansion of trade and culture. The literal meaning of Bali Yatra (Bali Jatra) is “voyage to Bali”. Bali is an island of Indonesia.
A visit to Bali Yatra is incomplete without the authentic taste of thunka puri – a large-sized puri served with traditional chhena tarkari and phulakobi kasha (cauliflower fry) – the trademark Cuttack Bali Yatra (Bali Jatra) delicacy.
I am a Katkia (resident of Cuttack city) and working in Bengaluru for last one decade. I used to visit Bali Jatra every day with my friends during college days. I am relishing the mouth-watering thunka puri and chhena tarkari after around five years. Bali Yatra visit without having thunka puri is not worthy, said Manoj Lenka.
Like Manoj and his family, hundreds of revellers were seen crowding stalls selling 'thunka puri' and 'dahi bara'.
Similarly, Baripada famous mudhi-mansha (puffed rice and mutton curry), kebab, mathura cake, steam cake, pyaaz kachori, shimla lanka chop, aloo tiki stalls were crowded by food lovers.
Cuttack Bali Yatra has something for everyone. There are several joyrides for children, adventure sport enthusiasts and young couples.
A ride on the giant wheel (Rama Doli) is something a hair-raising thrill in the annual trade fair and the roller coaster ride has turned first choice of young couples over the years. Children can take a jumper ride also.
We hardly get a chance to be reunited with friends. This year, we five school friends decided to visit Cuttack Bali Yatra, said Prakash Agarwal who was in line for Rama Doli ride.
If you hardly get a glimpse of the skyline owing to your busy schedule, Bali Yatra gives you a chance to take a joy ride on a giant wheel to get a clear view of the city’s skyline.
Collecting showpieces, artefacts from a wide range of both modern as well as antique home decor products is another attraction for shopalcoholics.
From maple and pinewood cups to bamboo and a wide range of wooden products you will be spoilt for choice when you are visiting the Asia’s largest trade fair.
The Odisha Rural development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) pavilion is offering a variety of junk jewellery, fashion accessories and other fancy goods along with authentic handicraft products at affordable prices.
