All about Odisha's historic 'Bali Jatra', one of the largest open trade fairs in Asia

The historic Bali Jatra, which is also known as Baliyatra, got off to a colorful start in Odisha's Cuttack on November 27. The fair, which will continue till December 4, is also famous for its food stalls. On the inaugural day, revellers were seen crowding stalls selling 'thunka puri' and 'dahi bara'. Rides such as swings, merry-go-rounds and giant wheels were seen attracting youth and children in large numbers, PTI reported.

The festival, which marks the end of the 'kartik' month, celebrates the day when 'sadhabas' or mariners used to set sail for distant lands such as Bali, Java, Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia, and Sri Lanka for trade.

The literal meaning of Baliyatra is “voyage to Bali”. Bali is an island of Indonesia.


According to odisha govt's website, "it is a unique socio- cultural event with glorious history which commemorates the past association of the people of Odisha with Bali and the glorious maritime tradition of transoceanic voyages they undertook to South Eeast Asian countries."

As per historians, in early days, traders from Odisha, called Sadhabas used to go on voyages to Bali, Java, Borneo, Sumatra in Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

Dr. Rabindra Nath Dash, in an article 'Baliyatra : A Festival of Odisha's Ancient Maritime Trade', writes, "Odisha province, known as Kalinga in ancient times, was commanding a very high position in the maritime activities of India in the past. Brave and adventurous Kalinga sailors were making daring voyages to different far- off lands of the world and had maritime contacts with Roman Empire, Africa, Persian coast, Arabian countries in the west and China, Japan, Siam, Champa, Burma, Ceylon, etc in the East."

"Odisha's glorious maritime past has been proved from the excavated materials like Roman coins, Kushan coins, Chinese ceramic sherds found from different parts of Odisha in the recent past. Great was the fame of Kalinga as a maritime power in ancient times that “Kalidas” in his Raghuvamsa referred to king of Kalinga as the “Lord of Sea”," he added.

Baliyatra is recognized as one of the largest open trade fairs in Asia, sprawling across 100 acres. Notably, in 2022, Bali Jatra achieved a Guinness World Record when over 2,100 students from 22 schools crafted more than 22,000 paper boats in just 35 minutes, solidifying its status as a remarkable and record-breaking event.