Preparations have begun for a State-level Balangi Mahotsav here. The fest would be held on the banks of river Budhabalanga near Chipat Astia on the suburbs of this town in April next. The annual event this year is going to showcase many new, innovative programmes, according to its organizers.
The meeting was presided over by former District Bar Association president Srinivas Pradhan and was attended by Rajya Sabha member Sarojini Hembram, BJP State vice-president Rajkishor Das, Mahotsav’s founder-secretary Sarat Chandra Nayak, former CDMO Kumud Ranjan Rout, educationist Kamalendu Mohanta and social activist Deepak Kumar Nayak. Many leading intellectuals and social workers also took part in the meeting and offered their valuable suggestions.
It was decided at the meeting that several programmes will precede the 5-day-long main festival which will be held from April 14 to April 18, 2018.
Different types of competitions among the school/college students of Mayurbhanj will be organized between March 2 and March 15, while Sriram Chandra Bhanj Jyoti Parikrama with a view to creatingcultural reawakening among the people shall be organized throughout the district on March 16, 17 and 18.
Culture lovers of Mayurbhanj, it may be noted, have been organizing here this mega socio-cultural festival called for the last 15 years.
The annual festival attempts to reflect the language, literature, art and culture of the district.
The fact that the Mahotsav is held at the very confluence of the three rivers/rivulets named Budhabalang, Chipat and Itajodi and that the place is very close to the famous Budharaula Mutt makes it very attractive and draws towards it thousands of visitors every year.