Indus Valley Times

Sandeep Satya Narayan Bhuyan

Bali Yatra, a festival that commemorates the rich maritime history of Odisha is celebrated throughout the state. In the historic city of Cuttack, a week-long event is organised starting from the day of Kartika Purnima.

Map of India highlighting the extent of the Kalinga Empire. The Kalinga Empire (present-day Odisha) is known for its glorious maritime history. Due to the geographical location of Kalinga, this area saw the growth of ports as early as the 4th and the 5th century BC. Some of the famous ports, Tamralipti, Manikpatna, Chelitalo, Palur, Pithunda allowed India to connect with other countries via the sea. Soon, the Kalingas had trade links with Srilanka, Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Bali and Burma. Bali formed a part of the four islands that were collectively called the Suvarnadvipa, today known as Indonesia. The Kalingas constructed large boats called the ‘Boitas’ and with the help of these, they traded with the Indonesian islands. These ships had copper hulls and could carry up to seven hundred men and animals aboard. Interestingly, the Bay of Bengal was once known as the Kalinga Sea as it was thronged by these ships. The dominance of the Kalingas over the sea routes can be understood from the fact that Kalidasa in his Raghuvamsa referred to the King of Kalinga as ‘The Lord of the Sea’.

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 would set sail to distant lands of Bali, as well as Java (at the time of the voyage known as “Yawadvipa”, Sumatra, Borneo (all in Indonesia).

Aa ( Asadha) ka ( Kartika) ma ( Magha) boi ( Baisakha)- the four months which are considered sacred. Local traditions ascribe Bali Yatra to the 3rd century BCE, when 2,000 families from Kalinga are believed to have migrated to Bali. Bali Yatra is believed to be the largest open air fair in the state of Odisha. It is organized every year in the Cuttack city in the month of Karthik as per the Oriya Calendar. The festival begins towards the end October and November on the Kartik Purnima day and continues for seven days. The festival is celebrated in the vicinity of Barabati Fort, at the Gadagadia Ghata located on the bank of Mahanadi River.

‘Bali Jatra’ means Journey to Bali. This fair is organized to commemorate the day when the ancient Oriya mariners or the Sadhabas would undertake commercial sea voyage to the far-off islands of Bali, Sumatra, Borneo, Srilanka and Java for cultural and trade expansion. The Kartika Purnima day was considered by the Sadhabas as the most auspicious day to begin their sea journey. Big fabric sails (Ajhala) were used to stir huge boats known as Boitas. Hence, the Bali Jatra festival is also referred to as Boita Bandana Utsab (boat festival).

The festival is also associated with the rituals of Taapoi, a traditional ritual in which young maidens awaited the return of their sailor lovers and brothers. The Bali Yatra fair witnesses myriads of tourists from different parts of the world. Several stalls selling toys, gift items, handloom garments, household items, etc. are set up during the festival. Local Oriya delicacies such as Thunka puri, Gupchup, Cuttacki Dahivada Aludum, Barafa pan, etc. are the prime attraction of the festival. In the evening the people place small oil lamps in small toy boats and float them in the Mahanadi River. The famous song – Aa ka ma bai, pan gua khai… is also sung by the people. This practice is followed to honour the glorious maritime legacy of the ancient Odisha. Boating with family and friends are also organized in the moonlit night. The festival of Bali Yatra provides a platform for different cultural and commercial exchange. Every year this fair is awaited with lot of enthusiasm and zeal by the people.

The writer is founder of White Jument, Bhubaneswar. He can be reached at Mob. : 9438831294