The Bali Yatra Festival of Orissa marks the culmination of all the religious celebrations held in the end of the month of Kartik. Kartik is considered to be the most auspicious month in the Hindu calendar year. Bali Yatra is held on the full moon day of November or December. The day is also celebrated as Kartik Purnima. Bali Yatra celebrates Orissa’s ancient maritime legacy. Kartik Purnima was always considered to be the most sacred day by the traders of Orissa. On this day, they ventured on journeys to distant lands like the islands of Java, Bali, Sumatra, Borneo and Ceylon (Sri Lanka).
Bali Yatra Festival in Orissa marks the culmination of all the religious festivities held in the month of Karthik, which is considered the most auspicious month of the 12 months in a calendar year. Held on the full moon day in November - December that is celebrated all over Orissa as Karthik Purnima, Bali Yatra commemorates Orissa's ancient maritime legacy.
Karthik Purnima was considered the most auspicious day by the traders (sadhabas) of Orissa to venture on a journey to distant lands namely the islands of Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Tourism of Orissa offers tours to Orissa during the Bali Yatra fair and festival so that you can get a glimpse of Orissa's rich cultural history and colorfully vibrant present on your tour of Festivals in Orissa.
The traders used to venture out in their large boats called Boita. Tourism of Orissa offers tours to Orissa during the Bali Yatra fair and festival so that one can get a glimpse of Orissa’s rich cultural history and colorfully vibrant present. Bali Yatra is a hugely popular fair organized on the banks of Mahanadi River in the fort area of Cuttack city as well as the seashores at Paradeep. To celebrate the glory of the ancient times, the people in Cuttack as well as in the rest of Orissa float small boats made of cork, banana tree barks and colored paper in the river and water tanks.