Baliyatra fair on the banks of the Mahanadi sees over one lakh visitors on opening day

More than one lakh visitors had thronged to the historic Baliyatra fair on the banks of the Mahanadi on its opening day. The fair begins on the full moon day of Kartik and is held every year to celebrate Odisha's rich maritime past.
As per legend, the historic fair on the banks of the Mahanadi is to celebrate the voyage of Odia traders to the islands of Indonesia, Bali and Sumatra.
This has been reported in timesofindia.indiatimes.com dated 15 November 2016.

In the opinion of locals, Baliyatra in Cuttack provides an opportunity to make best purchases at great deals. Many look at it as a time to unwind and enjoy because it is another festival. During this time, relatives from across the state come together and visit the fair on all the seven days.
Since many traders are accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1000 denomination notes, the sales have been great. There are around 1400 stalls and both the fair grounds, Killa Padia and Mahanadi river bed, had plenty of revelers. The fair offers traditional household items like brooms and 'chaki' along with electronic gadgets. There are also food parks, amusement rides and similar major attractions.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) allows Baliyatra festival on the banks of Mahanadi

The suspense over the annual historic Baliyatra festival has been cleared because the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has finally allowed the Cuttack district authorities to go ahead with necessary arrangements on the banks of Mahanadi.
Of course, the NGT has issued a clause directing the administration to maintain cleanliness and ensure that garbage is not dumped nor permanent structures erected on the river bed.
This has been reported in thestatesman.com dated 5 November 2016.

The area were the festival is held is not a river bed and it is alluvial area or, rather, an old land mass. Allotment of sites to vendors for stalls will begin immediately.
The NGT had on 2 November issued directions and restrictions of erection of stalls on a petition filed by an environmental activist. The festival marks the ancient maritime history of Odisha and is a yearly event that happens at around this time of the year - it starts on 14 November.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org


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