Bhubaneswar, Nov 23: The Ministry of Culture has declined the request for National Maritime Heritage Festival status for the renowned historic event, Baliyatra, in Cuttack. Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh received official notification of the decision through a letter from the Ministry.

Although Baliyatra had previously been granted state-level festival status, efforts were made to elevate its recognition to the national level. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Culture rejected this application.

Baliyatra holds global significance, with traders from around the world converging to engage in business during this grand festival. The event attained state-level festival recognition in 2019. Following a two-year postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival successfully took place in 2022, attracting around 2000 traders and millions of visitors.

In 2020, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had written to the Union government urging the conferment of National Maritime Heritage Festival status upon this iconic Cuttack festival. In 2021, the then MP and current Mayor of Cuttack, Subas Singh, also made a similar plea to the central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had previously commended this ancient festival of Odisha.

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