Date:12/10/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/10/12/stories/2007101250180200.htm

Other States - Orissa

Festival calendar unveiled

Correspondent

It will come in handy for tourism industry

BHUBANESWAR: On the eve of the festival season in the State, the department of tourism has framed a festival calendar for the stake holders of the tourism industry and connoisseurs of culture as well.

Sources in the department told The Hindu that several festivals being hosted in and around Bhubaneswar by the department and in association with other organisations have been clubbed together this year in an attempt to save unwanted expenditure while retaining the tourists’ inflow to the State.

The calendar will have festivals like "Parab" festival, at Koraput from November 16 to 18, Konark festival of classical dances and the folk festival of Sambalpur from December 1 to 5 this year and January 4 to 6 next year respectively.

In association with the Hotel and Restaurants Association of Orissa (HRAO), the department will host the annual Shreekshetra Utsav (Puri festival) and Puri beach festival. The collaborative event will be named as Shreekshetra-Beach festival of Puri and will be under way from November 23 to 27 this year.The department has decided to club a number of festivals being held in and around Bhubaneswar this year.

The 10-day Toshali crafts fair, four-day Mukteswar dance festival, three-day Rajarani music festival, two-day Kalinga martial dance festival at Dhauli, week-long folk dance festival, national handloom and handicrafts expo, international food festival and two-day heritage walk components of the Ekamra Utsav will now be known as Toshali-Ekamra festival. It will spread over 15 days commencing on January 3 next year.

The duration of the Mukteswar dance festival that showcases the best of Odissi dance will be reduced to three days (January 3 to 5) this year.

The department is also actively considering inclusion of the Golden beach festival of Chandipur in its calendar, it was learnt.