Port Day & Kalinga Baliyatra Commemorates Odisha’s Glory

Paradip: Odisha province, in ancient times,was commanding a very prominent position in the maritime activities of India . Bali Yatra that commemorates commercial relationship with Bali and other South Asian countries is a special event that the people of Odisha has preserved in the form of a mammoth fair as a part of their culture to commemorate the journey by Odia merchants from Odisha to Bali, Java,Sumatra and other Indonesian islands. Bali Yatra is also associated with Taapoi and rituals like Bhalukuni or Khudurukuni Osha. Taapoi is closely associated with the Bali Yatra festival,which reminds traditional memories of young maidens waiting for the return of their sailor brothers. To remind the glory and heritage,Bali yatra is celebrated every year in Odisha and various places. On the occasion,children and people float toy boats made of colored paper,dried banana tree barks and cork in the water of sea, river,pond and water tanks,to commemorate the voyage of their ancestors to Indonesia. The toy boats with their small oil lamps light up the autumn evenings like a second Diwali. As images of the month of Karthik,the water of sea, river banks come alive with twinkling lights and Bali Yatra takes a life of it’s own. To revive and refresh the memories of Kalinga’s maritime glory,a boat expedition was organized on the Karthik Purnima of 1992. History was created when a seven members crew on board including Odisha girl Nibedita Acharya with a 13 meter long yatch sailed for Bali from Paradip Port of Odisha retracing the ancient trade route. The yatch INS SAMUDRA covered a distance of 5810 nautical miles in just over 17 weeks. It was an occasion to remember legendary Biju Patnaik,who started the Kalinga Bali Yatra in 1992 and flagged off an ambitious sea expedition to trace the ancient sea trade route between Odisha and Indonesia,Bali,Sumatra and Java etc. He had the vision of revival of the past glory of Odisha and Odia’s pride. Paradip Port Trust now Paradip Port Authority (PPA) to glorify this auspicious historical occasion celebrate the day as Port Day every year which is graced by Chief Ministers of Odisha and presided over by PPT Chairman. But this year,Droupadi Murmu, the Hon’ble President of India is attending the Boita Bandana festival as the chief guest, organised by Paradip Port. Port Day convert the port city a colourful place of celebration with a festive look. The ships and port offices are dressed with flags, festoons etc.To bring back the past meritime This event has been observed from late seventies during the tenure of Premanand Tripathy, ex Chairman,PPT.

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