Bhubaneswar, Nov 14: Cuttack’s iconic Baliyatra festival is poised to become a global attraction, drawing tourists from 13 countries. The nine-day festival, starting November 14, promises to offer international flavor with foreign stalls, cultural performances, and a variety of traditional delicacies.

Cuttack District Collector Dattatreya B Shinde has confirmed that preparations are complete for the event, which is expected to attract around 7 lakh visitors. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi will inaugurate the festival at 5 p.m. on November 14, with diplomats and high commissioners from 13 nations in attendance. The festival will also feature performances by international artists, enhancing its global appeal. Additionally, the ‘Pitha Mahotsav’ will give locals a chance to taste traditional foreign delicacies.

Baliyatra will include unique attractions such as a laser show and a first-ever drone show on the Mahanadi River, with 400 drones participating. Spread across 42 acres, the festival will feature approximately 2,500 stalls. Special arrangements have been made for the elderly and differently-abled, including 6 eight-seater golf carts and 30 e-rickshaws. The number of toilets has also increased to 380, up from last year’s 200.

The festival will celebrate Odia heritage with a dedicated Odia Film Festival screening popular Odia movies in three daily shows, including screenings at the Biju Pattanaik Film Institute. Bollywood Nights will add vibrant performances to the lineup, ensuring a memorable experience for attendees.

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