Odisha launches 3 flagship tourism events

Aiming to attract more tourists both from India and abroad, three top flagship events were inaugurated in Odisha yesterday. These were the Konark Festival, International Sand Art Festival and Eco Retreat Odisha.

The Konark Festival is organised every year from December 1 to 5 and this year’s 33rd edition was inaugurated by Naveen Patnaik, Odisha Chief Minister in a virtual mode. The festival which takes place with the famous Konark temple forming the backdrop, is renowned as an excellent platform showcasing India’s dance forms and it started with a scintillating Odissi performance by Datuk Ramli Ibrahim & Group of Malaysia’s Sutra Foundation.

Ibrahim and his group’s performance was focused on Lord Rama and included Homage to Rama, Hero of the Ramayana-Mangalacharan-Shri Rama Dhyana, Sthai, Sita Swayambar and Remembering Rama.

The choreography and conceptualisation of this show was done by Guru Gajendra Kumar Panda and Ibrahim and it was based on compositions by Guru Gajendra Kumar Panda, Pandit Gopal Chandra Panda, Guru Satchidananda Das and Sangita Panda.

A Kathak performance titled Chhand-Laya-Gati by Rajendra Gangani and Group from New Delhi’s Guru Kundanlal Gangani Foundation followed the Odissi recital.

Organised by the Odisha Government in collaboration with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, the festival will be screened live on the social media platforms and also beamed on DD Bharati and DD Odia.

Along with the Konark Festival, at Chandrabhaga beach the International Sand Art Festival 2022 is being held for five days. It was inaugurated by Aswini Kumar Patra, Minister of Tourism and Tusharkanti Behera, Minister of Electronic & IT.

The 12th edition of the sand festival has 103 artisans participating and includes five international artists from Spain, Singapore, Russia, Canada and Japan while the national artists are from Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, Telangana and Tamil Nadu.

The CM also inaugurated the 4th edition Eco Retreat Odisha which is being organised at Putsil, Sonapur, Satkosia, Bhitarkanika, Hirakud and Daringbadi. This camping event enables tourists to explore and experience nature.

While accommodation is provided in safe and hygienic tents and cottages, several other amenities too are available for the tourists. These included 24×7 assistance, air conditioning /heating, a bar, a doctor on call, guided tours, a kids’ area, recreational activities, a restaurant, and toiletries.

The package also provides for all meals, evening hi-tea, a local sightseeing tour, and a water sport ride.