President Droupadi Murmu to inaugurate Kataka Bali Jatra on November 24

Kataka: President Droupadi Murmu will attend the historic Bali Jatra in Odisha’s Kataka city as the chief guest and inaugurate the eight-day festival on November 24, Kataka Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde has confirmed.According to the Collector, the President has accepted the invitation extended by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and will attend the inaugural ceremony in the evening. She is scheduled to be in the Silver City from around 5 pm to 8.15 pm.The annual Bali Jatra, which celebrates Odisha’s rich maritime history and cultural heritage, will be held on the banks of the Mahanadi River from November 24 to December 1.The district administration, the state government and the Kataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) have stepped up preparations to ensure the smooth and successful organisation of the festival.In a major change this year, the fair will be spread across both the upper and lower grounds. The administration is also planning to expand parking facilities to accommodate the large number of visitors expected during the eight-day event.Special arrangements are being made for crowd management, traffic regulation, security and vehicle parking.Water sports on the Mahanadi will be among the major attractions this year. The facilities are expected to remain available throughout the festival, from the inaugural day to its conclusion.The President’s participation is expected to add further significance to Bali Jatra 2026, one of Odisha’s most prominent cultural and commercial events.