BHUBANESWAR: The three-day ‘Odisha Parab’ event was inaugurated at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, showcasing Odisha’s rich cultural heritage, traditional handicrafts, cuisine, performing arts and diverse tourism experiences.
Organised jointly by the Odisha Tourism department and FICCI, the festival was inaugurated by deputy chief ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida at Deendayal Hastkala Sankul (Trade Facilitation Centre and Crafts Museum) in Varanasi.
The inaugural cultural evening was also attended by Uttar Pradesh deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya, Tourism minister Jaiveer Singh, Labour minister Anil Rajbhar and MLA Awadhesh Singh, along with other dignitaries and senior officials from both states.
The participants highlighted the festival as an important platform for cultural exchange and promotion of tourism between Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
Tourism department officials said the exhibition features 32 special stalls, including 22 dedicated to handicrafts and 10 showcasing Odia cuisine. Visitors can witness live demonstrations of traditional crafts such as Pattachitra, palm-leaf engraving, filigree, Dhokra, Kotpad textiles and Sambalpuri handloom.
Traditional Odia cuisine is another major attraction, with delicacies including Dahi Bara Aloo Dum, pitha, sweets, millet-based dishes and Koraput coffee. The festival also features Odissi, Gotipua, Sambalpuri and other folk dance performances, the officials said.
The event is aimed at promoting Odisha’s major tourism destinations, including Puri, Konark, the Buddhist circuit comprising Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri as well as natural attractions such as Chilika, Bhitarkanika and Similipal.
The festival will continue till August 24. Officials said entry is free for the general public and visitors, giving them an opportunity to experience Odisha’s culture, cuisine, handicrafts and tourism offerings.
The three-day event will also feature a Diaspora Meet, providing a platform for engagement with the Odia community and friends of Odisha in Varanasi and the wider region, they said.
Dedicated B2B and B2G sessions will also bring together tourism stakeholders, industry representatives, investors, tour operators, hospitality players and government representatives to facilitate meaningful business interactions, explore partnerships and promote greater tourist movement between Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.
The event is supported by Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts, and Mission Shakti departments as well as ORMAS and OTDC.
