What is Bali Yatra of Odisha? | Significance for UPSC

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Significance of Bali Yatra/Bali Jatra for UPSC CSE

Bali Yatra is important for UPSC CSE because it is named on the sidelines of the recently concluded G20 Summit at Indonesia’s Bali by PM Modi.
‘Bali Jatra’ has also great significance from the perspective of the UPSC International Relations Section(GS 2).
Bali Yatra/Bali Jatra is also an essential current affairs cum Indian History, Art, and Culture topic for both UPSC prelims and mains(GS 1).

Why Odisha’s Bali Yatra is in news?

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the ancient trade and cultural links that India’s Odisha has with Indonesia’s Bali – a connection that thrives to this day for over a thousand years.
During the sidelines of the G20 summit, he spoke with the Indian diaspora in Bali about ‘Bali jatra’ festival that celebrates the ancient maritime links with Southeast Asia.

What is Bali Yatra/Bali Jatra of Odisha?

It is a unique socio – cultural event with glorious history which commemorates the past association of the people of Odisha with Bali and the glorious maritime tradition of transoceanic voyages they undertook to South East Asian Countries.
The celebration of Bali yatra on the Bank of river Mahanadi takes us back to remember our ancestral cultural heritage and maritime legacy.
During this period the traders of Odisha (Sadhaba Puas) were undertaking voyages, along the sea trade route, on huge boats called “Boita” from this place on full moon day in the month of November.

Significance of Kartika Purnima?

Kartika Purnima is an auspicious day for the people of Odisha as the Sailors used to start their voyage to the places like Bali, Java Borneo, Sumatra in Indonesia and Srilanka for a successful trade.
Kartika Purnima which falls on the 15th day of the Sukla Paksha (Waxing moon) of the Karttika month (November), is a day of reminiscence of Odisha’s ancient overseas trade with far off South- eastern parts.
On this day people of Odisha float small boats made of banana peels and Sola in nearby ponds and rivers to recall the glories of daring Sea Voyages of ancient Kalinga.

Why Bali Yatra is celebrated?

Some opine, Odia Sadhabas (sea traders) were sailing off to Bali on this monsoon season for which it is named as such.
Others say, Sri Chaitanya, the great Vaishnavite Bengali Saint, first landed on the soil of Cuttack after crossing the sand-bed (Bali) of Mahanadi River on his way to Puri on this auspicious day.

How Odisha’s Bali Yatra has a connection with Indonesia’s Bali

The literal meaning of Bali yatra is “Voyage to Bali.”
Bali is an island of Indonesia and the Baliyatra festival is generally celebrated in the coastal Odisha on the day of “Kartika Purnima” which falls in the month of November every year.
Bali yatra festival of Odisha has some parallel with ‘Masakapan Ke Tukad’ festival of Bali where similar floating of toy boats in memory of maritime ancestors is made.
Bali Jatra festival is also associated with legend ‘Taapoi’ and rituals like ‘Bhalukuni Osha’ or ‘Khudurukuni Osha’ and ‘Bada Osha’.
So, Bali yatra is not only a ritual of sailing of boats on Kartika Purnima day but it also represents the ancient maritime tradition of Odisha and economic glory.

Did you know?

Odisha province, known as Kalinga in ancient times, was commanding a very high position in the maritime activities of India in the past.
Great was the fame of Kalinga as a maritime power in ancient times that “Kalidas” in his Raghuvamsa referred to king of Kalinga as the “Lord of Sea”.
Islands of Java, Sumatra, Bali and Borneo collectively known as Suvarnadvipa or modern Indonesia.

Key activities during Bali Yatra or Bali Jatra

During Bali Jatra, lakhs of people congregate on the famous Baliyatra festival of Cuttack city where innumerable varieties of goods are bought and sold.
People also enjoy boating on the river Mahanadi with friends and relatives in the moonlit night during this festival.
On Bali yatra festival of Kartika Purnima an Odia lyric is usually recited i.e. ‘AaKa-Ma-Bai, Pana-Gua- Thoi’. Aa-Ka-Ma-Bai connotes the month of Asadha, Kartika, Margasira and Baisakha of Odia calendar.

FAQs on Bali Yatra

Q. What did Kalidasa said about the fame of Kalinga as a maritime power?

Ans. Great was the fame of Kalinga as a maritime power in ancient times that “Kalidas” in his Raghuvamsa referred to king of Kalinga as the “Lord of Sea”.

Q. Bali yatra festival of Odisha has some parallel with which festival of Bali(Indonesia)?

Ans. Bali yatra festival of Odisha has some parallel with ‘Masakapan Ke Tukad’ festival of Bali where similar floating of toy boats in memory of maritime ancestors is made.