President Droupadi Murmu to Inaugurate Cuttack Bali Jatra on November 24

President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Odisha on November 24 to inaugurate the historic Bali Jatra in Cuttack. She will attend the inaugural ceremony as the chief guest, marking the first time that the President of India will inaugurate the iconic annual festival.

School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond shared the information, adding to the excitement among the people of Cuttack ahead of the President’s visit.

The eight-day-long Bali Jatra will be organised from November 24 to December 1 this year on both the upper and lower grounds along the Mahanadi riverbank in Cuttack.

Governor of Odisha and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi are also expected to attend the inauguration ceremony alongside the President.

Minister Nityananda Gond said that the President’s presence would add a new chapter to the glorious history of Bali Jatra, making this year’s celebration particularly significant.

President’s Earlier Visit Schedule Changed

Earlier, President Droupadi Murmu was scheduled to visit Mayurbhanj district for two days on November 28 and 29. Subsequently, the programme was rescheduled to November 4 and 5.

Later, information emerged about a revised three-day visit from November 3 to 5. However, the proposed visit was eventually postponed.

Historical Significance of Bali Jatra

Bali Jatra, one of Odisha’s most celebrated cultural festivals, traditionally begins on Kartika Purnima every year. The historic festival in Cuttack is regarded as one of the largest trade fairs in Odisha and a major commercial and cultural event in eastern India.

Organised along the banks of the Mahanadi, Bali Jatra commemorates Odisha’s glorious maritime history and its ancient trade and cultural links with Bali and other Southeast Asian countries.

The festival recalls the voyages of ancient Odia mariners, known as Sadhabas, who sailed to distant lands for trade and commerce. These historic maritime expeditions are remembered through the tradition of Boita Bandana, in which people float miniature boats on water bodies on Kartika Purnima.

Beyond its historical significance, Bali Jatra serves as an important platform for promoting Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, traditional art forms, handicrafts, local products and tourism.

With President Droupadi Murmu set to inaugurate the festival for the first time, this year’s Bali Jatra is expected to hold special significance in Odisha’s cultural calendar.