BALI YATRA A HISTORICAL FAIR ON THE LAND OF SILVER CITY

DESTINATION :- BALI YATRA FIELD

CUTTACK, ODISHA

2014

A Trip to Bali Yatra ......

Bālijātrā (also Bōita Bandāṇa (Oriya: ବୋଇତ ବନ୍ଦାଣ) literally means Journey to Bali. This festival is held in Odisha, in the city of Cuttack at Gadagadia Ghata of the Mahanadi river, to mark the day when ancient Sadhabas (Oriya 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. They sailed in large vessels called Boitas.

The 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 right from the full moon. This is the specific time that was considered auspicious by the Sadhabas to begin their voyage in vessels called Boitas. The scientific cause of starting voyage on Kartika Purnima is to take advantage of the favorable wind blowing during this time. Ajhala or big fabric sails were used to harness the wind power to move the Boitas.

In Cuttack, Bali Jatra is celebrated annually as a large open fair near the Barabati Fort area. It is said to be the largest fair of Odisha state. There are several attractions for children, and food stalls selling Oriya delicacies (Cuttacki Dahivada Aludum, Thunka puri, Barafa pan, Gupchup, etc.), and other vendors selling toys, curiosities, and other gifts. Every year millions of people from all over the nation come to experience it. During Bali Yatra, 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. These toy boats, that are usually launched after sunset with small oil lamps, are lit and placed inside them, provide a very attractive sight during the festival. People sing a song Aa ka ma bai, pan gua khai... to remember the early maritime history of Odisha. The song tells about four months that are important for marine merchants of Kalinga (earlier name of Odisha).

This festival is also celebrated with great fanfare in Paradeep. Bali Jatra bears testimony to the rich maritime legacy of ancient Odisha. It is also known as Boita Bandana Utsab, or the festival of boats.

                                    Historical Gateway of Bali Yatra

Artisans are busy making the welcome gate for Bali Yatra that will start from November 28. The gate built at a whooping cost of Rs 54 lakh by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation is 40 feet high. "It will be a visual treat as it depicts the rich maritime history of the state," said Saumendra Ghose, the mayor of Cuttack. Earlier, temporary arches were installed at the entrance to the fair ground. But in 2010, the civic body decided to construct a permanent arch and it took two years to be completed.

The gate has a huge concrete boat built atop two pillars. Seven traders are seen travelling in it. Noted artisan Lakshmidhar Rana has built the statues with fibre and concrete. "The gate will showcase the history of Bali Yatra.

CULTURAL PROGRAMME

  ART....

The national-level Pallishree Mela showcasing rural art, craft and handloom is the biggest draw with over 300 stalls. The famous Chanderi sarees and brass metal products from MP, woollen items from Kashmir and Punjab, leather products from Rajasthan, woodcraft from AP, cane and bamboo craft from Tripura besides Odisha’s handloom and handicrafts are being showcased at the Mela that has drawn participation of more than 28 States of the country.

ART OF MUD.....

Mud is a versatile and under-rated material, and lets face it there’s a lot of it about.  It has (and still is in some parts of the world) been used for a huge variety of purposes by mankind for millennia, for building, medicinal and beauty purposes, and making pots to name just a few, and of course as a material for making art. 

                             
     TRADITIONAL  VILLAGE VEIW /CULTURE OF ODISHA

ART OF BRASS

The fine engravings on brass and bellmetal utensils, bronze bangles and pots are important aspects of Orissan art. Artifacts made of metal, particularly brass, find pride of place in the homes of Odisha

 

Tailors at Pipli execute applique works, which are in great demand. Giant-sized umbrellas of applique work are produced for use on festive occasions. Also used as garden umbrellas in sprawling lawns, they lend grace and colour to any gathering. Heart-shaped fans, big and smau canopies and wall-hangings are also prepared out of applique work. The tailors cut out figures of animals, birds, flowers as well as geometrical shapes out of richly coloured cloth and these are arranged symmetrically on another piece of cloth and sewn in place to produce an eye-catching design. The rich splashes of yellow, white, green, blue, red and black colours dazzle the eyes of the onlookers and set the festive mood. Bags of various shapes and sizes are also made with applique motifs. Applique chharis (umbrellas) and  "tarasas" (heart-shaped wooden structures covered with applique work and supported on pikes) are used to lend colour to religious processions. Large applique canopies are an integral part of marriage celebrations. In temples, canopies are hung over the deities to protect them from falling dirt.

ART BY FIBRE

STALLS

,Of the 1,300 kiosks that have come up at Bali yatra, over 300 stalls are engaged in 

selling of various food items.

FOOD STALL.....

Traditional food like Balijatra’s exclusive thoonka poori, dahibara aloo dum titillated the taste buds, giving the fast food stalls dishing out chowmein and other snacks a run for their money.

 food stalls selling Oriya delicacies (Cuttacki Dahivada Aludum, Thunka puri, Barafa pan, Gupchup, etc.),

CHAT

THUNKA POORI

 Attractions for Children........

HOW TO REACH :- THIS PLACE 3-4 KM FAR FROM THE BADAMBADI BUS STAND CUTTACK,ODISHA . YOU CAN PICK A SHARE AUTO TO REACH THIS PLACE .