Duration: 

3-4 days
Location: Banks of river Mahanadi in Cuttack city of India
Significance: Celebrates the glorious past of voyages that were organized to the islands of Bali, Sumatra & Java for commercial reasons

Bali Yatra is a very well known festivity that takes place on the banks of river Mahanadi in Cuttack city of Orissa. It usually falls on the full moon day in
the Hindu month of Karthik (November-December). The yatra is also popularly known as Karthik Purnima and is celebrated to commemorate the
glorious past of voyages that were organized to the islands of Bali, Sumatra and Java for commercial purposes. During this festive period, the idols of
"Kartikeswar" are constructed and worshipped. Bali Yatra lasts for a period of three to four days. 

On this great occasion, a fair is organized on a very large scale, where myriad varieties of goods are displayed for buying and selling. For
entertainment purposes, there are boating facilities, which can be enjoyed in the moonlight. As a part of the celebrations of Bali Yatra, the people of
Orissa float small boats, which are made up of cork, paper and banana tree barks, in the river and water tanks. Some of them also place lit lamps in the
hollow of the boat and this ritual is known as Boita Bandana. 

On the day of Bali Yatra, the images of Lord Karthikeswar are worshipped and then immersed, amidst huge fanfare, in the waters of Mahanadi River.
The immersion serves to mark the conclusion of the holy month of Karthik. Thousands of enthusiasts from different parts of India come to Cuttack to
take part in this yatra. This is the perfect time to explore the cultural heritage of the rich state of Orissa and indulge in some fun too.
Bali Jatra is a very popular festival in Odisha. This festival is celebrated every year to remember the day when ancient Sadhabas (Odia mariners)
would set sail to distant lands of Bali, as well as Java, Sumatra, Borneo (all in Indonesia), and Sri Lanka for trade and cultural expansion, at those
times the Odia mariners are called Sadhabas they are the business man’s those sell different art pieces made by Odia artesian and sell them on
different countries and bring gold and other important things to Odisha.
To remember that golden period of Odisha, this festival is celebrated every year. This festival held in Odisha, in the city of Cuttack at Gadagadia
Ghata of the Mahanadi River. The Bali Jatra festival marks its beginning at Kartik Purnima which comes around the end of October and
November, and goes on for a period of seven days from the full moon, during this period people enjoys a lot in this festival, these are many food
stalls and other stalls are created for visitors. The people visit to this festival in a huge number and enjoy together with family and friends.

STORY BEHIND THE BALI JATRA FESTIVAL

Story behind the festival is associated with Taapoi and rituals like Bhalukuni Osha or Khudurukuni Osha and Bada Osha. Taapoi is closely
associated with the Bali Jatra festival, which recalls traditional memories of young maidens waiting for the return of their sailor brothers, they
pray to Maa Mangala for safe returning of their brothers.
In Bali Yatra festival children float toy boats made of colored paper, dried banana tree barks and cork in the Mahanadi, ponds, water tanks, etc to
commemorate the voyage of their ancestors to Indonesia, in this way the famous Bali Yatra festival occurs.