Governor Calls Bali Yatra a Symbol of Odisha’s Eternal Spirit and Global Harmony

Cuttack: Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on Wednesday said that the historic Balijatra festival carries a timeless message for humanity — that the seas were never meant to divide, but to connect.

Speaking at the Valedictory Ceremony of the Historical Balijatra in Cuttack, he said the festival stands as a living symbol of goodwill, unity, and shared prosperity.

“When guided by goodwill, trade and travel can unite civilizations, bringing harmony where politics may fail,” the Governor said, calling Balijatra a celebration of both prosperity and morality. He described the festival as a magnificent testament to Odisha’s eternal spirit, weaving together the courage of Kalinga’s ancient seafarers—the Sadhaba Puas—and the creativity of modern Odisha into one unbroken thread of glory.

Recalling the maritime heritage of Kalinga, Dr. Kambhampati said the brave seafarers once sailed from the banks of the Mahanadi to distant lands such as Sri Lanka, Java, Sumatra, Bali, and Cambodia, carrying not only goods but also the light of art, language, and faith. Their voyages, he said, proved that the sea is a bridge linking hearts and civilizations.

Calling Baliyatra a “mirror of the Odia soul,” the Governor said true wealth lies in the resilience and artistry of the people. He urged the youth to awaken the spirit of the Sadhaba Puas by exploring new horizons in technology, innovation, and sustainable enterprise.

Dr. Kambhampati commended the State Government and the Cuttack District Administration for their efforts in organizing the festival and lauded the Rs 200-crore Mahanadi Riverfront Development Project. He also appreciated the initiative to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for Balijatra and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting India’s maritime heritage globally.

“Balijatra is not the end of a celebration,” he said, “but the continuation of a journey of courage, creativity, and compassion.”

Among others, Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Minister Sampad Chandra Swain; Choudwar-Cuttack MLA Souvic Biswal; Barabati-Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous; and Cuttack Sadar MLA Prakash Chandra Sethi also spoke on the occasion. Cuttack District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde delivered the welcome address, while Cuttack Municipal Corporation Commissioner Kirandeep Kaur Sahota proposed the vote of thanks.

Bali Yatra extended by one day

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Wednesday announced the extension of Bali Yatra in Cuttack by one more day.
The annual trade fair, which began on the occasion of Kartika Purnima November 5 and was supposed to conclude Wednesday (November 12), will now end November 13.
Keeping in view the interest of the common people towards the festival and the business of the traders at the fair, the CM has extended its duration, an official statement said.

The festival is organised on the banks of the Mahanadi river every year to mark the time of year when mariners from the state set sail to Bali, Sumatra and Java in Indonesia, Borneo and Sri Lanka in ancient times for the expansion of trade and culture.
The festival features numerous food stalls, amusement rides and cultural programmes.