Sambalpur, Dec. 12: The annual folk festival, which could not be held here in January due to a jaundice outbreak, is set to be a six-day affair next year.

The Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav will begin on January 25 next. Earlier, the fest used to be held for three days.

"It will be a six-day festival this time," said Sambalpur Lok Mahotsav Organising Committee convenor Sapan Mishra. The festival will be organised at the PHED Ground.

The dates and venue were decided at a meeting attended by district culture officer Arpita Behera and a group of art lovers of the city.

Mishra said the committee would shortly be registered under the Societies Registration Act and work towards the promotion of folk art forms of west Odisha.

"The traditional art forms of the region, which are on the verge of extinction, will be given preference in the Lok Mahotsav 2016," Mishra said.

The festival will be held with a tentative budget of Rs 20 lakh. The district culture department will provide Rs 3 lakh for this. The committee has decided to generate funds by renting out 200 kiosks, which will sell traditional handicrafts, handloom and local delicacies at the venue.

"The fest is a conglomeration of traditions and art. Every year, artistes of national and local cultural teams gather here to exhibit their creativity," said local resident Ranjit Barik.