London/Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s iconic maritime festival, Bali Jatra, is set to make history this November as it is celebrated for the first time at the British Parliament. The event will open at the House of Lords on November 14 with the theme “Ancient Maritime Glory to Sustainable Futures”, followed by a cultural gala and international trade fair in Croydon on 15 November.

Tracing its roots back to 400 BCE, Bali Jatra commemorates the voyages of the Sadhabas, the seafaring traders of ancient Kalinga, who sailed in Boita ships to Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand, forging trade and cultural exchanges across Asia. Today, the festival in Cuttack stands as one of Asia’s largest open-air fairs, keeping alive Odisha’s maritime legacy.

“This landmark event in the British Parliament ensures Odisha’s maritime legacy and cultural pride take their place on the world stage,” said Organising Secretary Dr Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak FRSA, OSUK (CIC). The initiative is brought to you by Xpertnest, led by British-Odia entrepreneur and philanthropist Arun Kar, whose passion for his home state Odisha has been the driving force behind his visionary and pioneering initiatives. 

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken many times about India’s historic maritime bonds,” noted Sweta Mohanty, spokesperson for the organising committee. “By launching Bali Jatra UK 2025 in London, we hope to create not just a celebration, but a vital forum for dialogue on ancient trade, civilisational heritage, and their relevance in contemporary times.”

“This is the lasting symbol of Bali Jatra—shared journeys and a future shaped by collaboration and heritage. Our theme at the House of Lords reflects this spirit: ‘Ancient Maritime Glory to Sustainable Futures,’” added Mohanty.

The organisers emphasised that Bali Jatra is more than a festival of trade—it symbolises shared journeys, cultural coexistence, and sustainable futures. The London event will also spotlight pressing global themes, including climate action, South-South cooperation, and cultural diplomacy.

bali jatra london

Notably, Bali Jatra has been inscribed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Odisha is actively pursuing UNESCO recognition. The UK celebrations, organisers say, will bolster this global campaign.

Leadership and Structure

The event is convened by the Odisha Society of the United Kingdom CIC (OSUK CIC) (Reg no. 15201747), with organising secretaries Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Pattnayak FRSA and Partha Sarathi Panda, spokesperson Sweta Mohanty, and directors Dipti Mohanty, Salil Kumar Das, Dr. Prakash Kumar Dey, Pravat Mishra, Srikanta Kumar Padhi, and Susmita Rajhansha. A core committee of cultural leaders and community members have been instrumental in shaping the programme. They include: Subhakant Das, Biren Patnaik, Debi Das, Preeti Rath , Subhranshu Barpanda, Satya Sidhartha, Bishnu Panigrahi, Sitansu Sahoo , Sabita Pradhan, Vikash Pradhan, Minaketan Panda, Ratikant Dwibedi, Bibhuti Patra, Tarun Kumar Das, Subhaprada Sudehna and Rina Meher.

Held in association with Xpertnest (a global leader in digital transformation and sustainable innovation), invitations span Indian and British parliamentarians, UK royal family members, policymakers, business leaders, and academics—testament to the event’s international scope.

Programme Highlights

Day-1

  • House of Lords, British Parliament (14 November)
  • Keynote addresses by invited Heads of State from India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Nigeria
  • High-level dialogues on maritime history and sustainable futures
  • Awards honouring heritage and sustainability champions

Day-2 – Croydon (15 November)

  • International trade fair spotlighting Odisha’s arts, crafts, and businesses
  • Cultural gala showcasing traditional Odia music, dance, and cuisine