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Bali Jatra, or Baliyatra, is a festival celebrating Odisha's maritime history and is considered Asia's largest open trade fair. The festival has its roots in ancient times when traders embarked on sea voyages to nearby lands from the Indian subcontinent. "Bali Jatra" translates to "A Voyage to Bali."
The festival commemorates 2,000-year-old maritime and cultural links between ancient Kalinga (modern Odisha) and Bali and other South and Southeast Asian regions like Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Burma (Myanmar) and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). It is celebrated annually at a specific location and sees an influx of people of all ages as it has something to offer for everyone. Millions attend it, which is one of Asia's most anticipated festivals.
As this year's Bali Jatra approaches, learning more about it is essential to plan a visit and observe the festivities unique to Odisha.
The festival commemorates the ancient times when Kalinga (Odisha) had a significant position in maritime trade across the Indian subcontinent. The brave sailors from this region would embark on daring voyages to unknown lands to establish trade contacts with the Roman Empire, Africa, Persia, Arabian countries, China, Japan, Burma, Ceylon, and many others on huge boats called "Boitas."The voyage would begin on Kartika Purnima, taking advantage of the favourable wind blowing during this time. Ajhala, or big fabric sails, were used to harness the wind power to move the Boitas.
Bali Jatra festival is tied to the legend of “Taapoi” and includes rituals like “Bhalukuni Osha,” “Khudurukuni Osha,” and “Bada Osha.” It commemorates a young maiden waiting for her sailor brothers’ return.
The sailors’ efforts and Kalinga's command over maritime trades were so remarkable that Kalidasa named Kalinga the "Lord of the Sea" in his Raghuvamsa. Historians suggest that some popular trade items between Kalinga and Southeast Asia were pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, silk, camphor, gold, and jewellery.
While the festival commemorates the glorious days of Kalinga as a maritime magnate, Baliyatra still retains an important commercial dimension. The event is marked by a massive open-air market where a variety of goods, including traditional handicrafts, are bought and sold.
The table showcases a vibrant collection of utilitarian art and crafts from Odisha. The range includes stonework, silver filigree, woodwork, applique work, brass and bell metal work, dokra castings, horn work, pattachitra, papier mache, terracotta, and textiles made from cotton, tussar silk, and more.
Every year, on the occasion of Kartika Purnima, which falls around the end of October and November, the people of Odisha gather near the banks of Mahanadi, Brahmani River, ponds, water tanks and sea shores to float miniature toy boats. These boats are made of coloured paper, dried banana tree barks and cork and are launched early in the morning.
The boats contain traditional paan and small oil lamps, lit and placed inside them, creating an attractive sight during the festival. The people sing a song called "Aa ka ma boi, pan gua thoi..." to remember the early maritime history of Odisha. The song tells about four important months for marine merchants of Kalinga. The festival in 2022 made it into the Guinness World Record for making 22,000 paper boats in 35 minutes.
Bali Jatra festival bears some cultural resemblances to other festivals. For instance, the "Masakapan Ke Tukad" festival of Bali involves floating toy boats in memory of maritime ancestors, somewhat similar to the custom in Odisha. Additionally, the "Loy Krathong" festival of Thailand, which includes the ritualistic floating of boats in November-December, also shares some similarities with the tradition in Odisha.
Bali Jatra is a celebration of cultural diversity in addition to being a trading event. The festivities occur at Gadagadia Ghat on the Mahanadi River near the Barabati Fort and showcase various cultural activities, such as folk dances, traditional music performances, and other cultural events that add a festive and entertaining element to the celebration.
The grand Pallishree Mela fair accompanies Bali Jatra and is also a significant attraction. The fair features numerous stalls that sell a wide array of goods, local delicacies, and handcrafted items.
Although Bali Jatra originates in maritime history and trade, it also has religious significance. The festival is celebrated at the end of the Kartika month in the Hindu calendar, and it is a common practice for many people to dip in the Mahanadi River during this time as a part of their religious ritual.
The celebrations of the Bali Jatra festival are set to begin on November 27 this year. Travellers can make their bookings on the spot, while traders can book stalls in advance. A special laser light show, which will be the first of its kind in the history of Bali Jatra, is planned for 2023. Additionally, the authorities are taking special measures to ensure that the event is sustainable and has minimal environmental impact. For instance, stalls will be where people can get an INR 5 cashback for every plastic bottle they return. Travellers are advised to contribute to the efforts taken to keep the environmental toll to a minimum.
