With an aim to give an experience beyond sacred pilgrimage at Puri, one of the major tourist towns of the state, Puri district administration in association with Odisha Tourism has planned a week-long Puri Beach Carnival from January 20. A variety of activities will be organised starting from cultural, adventure, dance, music and sports at a three-km stretch on the Puri Beach for visitors.
“For the first time such a mega event is planned in Odisha in the tourist season. The carnival, which will be held in the lines of Goa carnival, will have lots of fun and entertainment activities for tourists as well as locals in the next one week,” said Uddhaba Majhi, project director, District Rural Development Agencies (DRDA).
The home of Lord Jagannath is all set to evolve from something more than just a sacred pilgrimage with the Puri Beach Carnival from January 20th to January 26th. The 3-km stretch of Puri sea beach from Mayfair Beach to Jatrika is to be venue for the week-long event promising an assortment of indulgences to its visitors.
The week long cultural extravaganza will begin with a colourful carnival parade showcasing the cultural diversity of Odisha with a procession of decorated bullock carts and rickshaws will be accompanied by naval band, school children, Sahi Medha, Ghantua, Odissi, Mahari, Sambalpuri, Pala, Gotipua, and Chhau performers.
The day-long events have been thematically divided as the morning hours will be dedicated to beach yoga, aerobics, beach cycling, roller skating, beach volleyball, and other sports and fun activities. Along with this, a bike stunt show will be held to spread awareness about road safety and traffic rules.
“Visitors will have events throughout the day as the carnival will feature jet skiing, surfing, zorbing, speed boats and banana boat rides. For those who love adventure sports, parasailing will be something to look forward to by team of experts. These are something new for visitors on Puri beach,” said district tourist officer, Bijay Jena.