The five-day long 9th Buddha Mahotsav began from May 17 to 21 in Maniabandha, the largest Buddhist village in Odisha where over 30,000 followers live.
These people are purely vegetarian and follow the teachings and austerity of Buddhism. Their profession is mainly weaving fine art sarees, khanduapatta, and clothes through handicraft industries. Considering the importance of Maniabandha handloom products which has good name and fame worldwide, the then Tourism Minister of the State Debi Prasad Mishra had started the Mahotsav here in the year 2011.
Since then, the Mahotsav has been organised during the period of Buddha Purnima under the aegis of the State Culture Department, the Cuttack district administration and the local Buddhist Association. This year, the Mahotsav Committee has decided to observe it for five days. As per schedule, the fest was inaugurated by local MLA Debi Prasad Mishra. Over fifty stalls particularly on Maniabandha loom products have been opened at the Mahotsav site for exhibition and sale.