The Bali Jatra began in Cuttack on the banks of the Mahanadi.

On the banks of the Mahanadi in Cuttack, the Bali Jatra, Asia's largest open-air annual trade fair commemorating Odisha's glorious ancient maritime heritage, began. This year's festival began on Kartika Poornima and will run until December 4th. In the evening, cultural troupes from Odisha and other states will perform dances such as Odissi, Chow, Bihu, Mahari, Gotipua, Sambalpuri, Santali folk dance, and so on at the fairground. This year, the fairgrounds are expected to host around 2,000 stalls selling various handicrafts, home goods, and food items. In light of the large public participation, the police have made elaborate security arrangements.