Puri Beach Carnival to be organised for the first time from January 20

Inspired from the Goa carnival, Puri Beach Carnival would be organised for the first time from January 20 to 26. The event will be a weeklong affair of fun and frolic. It will be organised on the entire stretch of the beach from Hotel Mayfair to Swargadwar.

The Odisha tourism, Puri district administration and Mute Entertainment Private Limited, an event management company, will host the carnival together. It will start with a parade, where local communities will take part in their traditional outfits.

This apart, various stakeholders of the Puri tourism industry, including hoteliers, restaurant owners and tourist guides, will don colourful attires at the event. “Tourists will also be encouraged to take part in the carnival procession,” said Rahul Raul from the event management company.

Puri is fast changing into a cultural destination from being a beach paradise, as a number of programmes are being organised here throughout the year.

An art workshop will be organised in the morning where famous artists from across the state will train the younger ones. This apart, a sand art exhibition by Sudarsan Pattnaik will be the highlight of the event. Apart from cultural activities, a number of beach and adventure sports such as beach karate, beach kabadi, volleyball, malkhamb, judo, para-sailing will be held during the carnival. A tattoo workshop has been planned as well.

“The boat rally, where around 50 decorated boats will sail on the sea, will be another highlight of the event,” said Gyanendra Ray from the event management firm. Besides, around 400 local artistes will showcase various traditional art forms in the carnival.

Pallishree Mela, a fair where beach vendors will showcase their artworks such as stone carving, appliqué work, woodcarving, mask making and palm leaf engraving, will also be organised at the carnival. They will also sell seafood at the fair.

Puri tourist officer Bijay Jena said: “We feel the festival will help to draw attention of tourists. The carnival will be an annual affair, and we aim to turn it into a major attraction like the Goa carnival.”

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