Bali Yatra

Commemorative of the ancient maritime glory of Odisha, when merchants from the State set sail to the far-eastern countries for trade and commerce, and marking the culmination of the holy Kartik month, the historic Bali Jatra fair is held in Cuttack every year in November. Held at the fair grounds on the banks of river Mahanadi, Bali Yatra is the biggest fair held in the State, which brings modern technology and the traditional craft under one platform. More than 1300 stalls are erected across the upper and lower Bali Jatra grounds selling everything from modern technology, traditional ethnic crafts to petty household articles. The famous Chanderi Saree and brass metal products from MP, woollen items from Kashmir, leather products from Rajasthan, woodcraft from AP, cane and bamboo craft from Tripura, besides Odisha’s own handloom and handicrafts, are displayed during the seven-day fair. A National-level Pallishree Mela is also organised on the occasion that brings together ethnic and other rural traditional products of about 24 States. The fair also encompasses a Gandhi Shilpa Bazaar on handicraft items with about 150 stalls and the much sought after silver Filigree Pavilion to promote the traditional silver filigree works of Cuttack city. The fair witnesses a footfall of nearly three lakh every day.