Cuttack, Nov. 14: Baliyatra started last night amid traditional Odissi music and dance on the banks of Mahanadi river near historical Barabati fort.

Inaugurating the fair, revenue minister Manmohan Samal said: “Baliyatra since ages occupies an important place in the cultural calendar of the state. It is a living testimonial to the maritime glory of Oriya people in the bygone era.”

With two to four lakh people thronging everyday for a week, Baliyatra has the single largest gathering in Orissa next to Rathyatra. At congregations like Baliyatra, it’s not just entertainment for lakhs of people who assemble without inhibition, higher education minister Samir Dey said: “It is trade fair with a difference that provides opportunity for brisk business for all sellers — from vendors to traders to merchants to business houses.”

Over a thousand kiosks have come up at Baliyatra this year. This apart, Gandhi Shilpa Bazar — a fair within the fair organised by Orissa Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS) under the sponsorship of Union Textile ministry — is one of the major attractions.

Gandhi Shilpa Bazaar provides employment opportunity to a large number of rural artisans and craftsmen, parliamentary affairs minister Raghunath Mohanty said. “ORMAS had notched a business of Rs 1.8 crore during the weeklong Baliyatra last year. This year, more than Rs 2-crore business have been targeted,” he added.

Gandhi Shilpa Bazaar has brought together more “diverse ethnic and traditional products from different states across the country”.

ORMAS officials said more than 22 states are participating in Gandhi Shilpa Bazaar this year.