Tastes & Traditions: Cuttack’s Celebration Never Sleeps

• Bali Yatra: Bali Yatra is the festival of remembering the ancient tradition of trade between Odisha and Java, Bali, and Sumatra, held on the Mahanadi river bank at Cuttack on the full moon day of Kartik(considered highly auspicious for taking a voyage to distant lands) to commemorate the glorious past of commercial voyages to the islands of Bali. Odisha’s ancient maritime linkages with Bali are celebrated in this unusual festival. Tiny boats made of either paper or barks of the banana tree, lit with clay lamps, are floated in rivers and tanks all over the State. The celebration features grand fairs, elaborate rides, food and dance. Bali Jatra facilitates cultural exchange between Odisha and other States, promoting cross-cultural understanding. It also provides a platform for traditional Odia artists, craftsmen and musicians to showcase their skills which helps to revive and promote Odia Culture. 
• Karthik Purnima was considered the most auspicious day by the traders (Sadhabas) of Odisha to venture in their huge boats called Boita, on journeys to distant lands like the islands of Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). Tourism of Odisha offers tours to Odisha during the Bali Yatra fair and festival so that you can get a glimpse of Odisha’s rich cultural history. Bali Yatra is a hugely popular fair held on the bank of the river Mahanadi in the fort area of Cuttack city, as well as at the seashore at Paradeep. To celebrate the glory of ancient times, the people in Cuttack, as well as in the rest of Odisha, float small boats made of cork, colored papers, and banana tree bark in the river and water tanks. The ritual of launching tiny paper boats lit by lamps placed within their hollows is known as Boita Bandana. Images of Karthikeswar are worshipped and immersed in the water of the river Mahanadi, near the Shiva Temple, to mark the end of the month of Karthik.
• Durga Puja (Dussehra): Dussehra is the festival of Goddess Durga. Durga Puja (September-October) symbolises the commemoration of good over evil. Life comes to a standstill in the city of Cuttack as crowds pour over the Puja Mandaps to enjoy the festivities. On the day succeeding ‘Vijaya Dasami’, the last day of Dussehra, hundreds of images of the Goddess are carried aloft through streets to be immersed, after nine days of celebrations, in the river Kathajodi. In Cuttack, the celebration of Durga Puja ( Dussehra ) is particularly vibrant with the images of the Goddess being dressed most exquisitely and finally being carried in a colourful procession for immersion in the river. The religious aspect is just one facet of the celebration; the city’s best theatrical companies put up plays, and shops offer special discounts on everything from clothing to food. Every Kataki holds two deep emotions close to heart  - Cuttack’s Durga Puja (Dussehra) and Baliyatra. These two grand festivals are not just events; they are a living reflection of Cuttack’s rich tradition and cultural pride. Among them, Durga Puja stands as a signature of the city's lifestyle, spirit, and unity. The city transforms with countless artistic pandals, each telling its own story through design and devotion. Historically, Cuttack holds the honor of being the first city in Odisha to celebrate Durga Puja. It was here that the tradition of worshipping a clay idol of Devi Durga was introduced - a creation that has since become the heartbeat of every Kataki. More than a ritual, it’s an emotional legacy passed through generations, making Durga Puja not just a celebration, but the very soul of Cuttack.
• Kite Flying Festival: Among other celebrations, the Kite flying festival is very attractive. The festival often occurs in early January, coinciding with Makar Sankranti.  Every year, Cuttack skies burst into color during the lively Kite Flying Festival, held around Makar Sankranti. Taking place at the Lower Bali Jatra Ground, this festival transforms the area into a hub of joy and creativity. From traditional Indian designs to eye-catching international kites, the sky becomes a canvas of cultural expression. Alongside the flying fun, visitors enjoy hands-on kite-making workshops, cultural performances, and a variety of local delicacies. It's a festive blend of tradition, community spirit, and high-flying excitement that brings families and kite lovers together.
• Raja Sankranti: Raja Sankranti (Swing festival) or “Mithuna Sankranti” is the first day of the month of ‘Asadha’, from which the season of rain starts. It inaugurates and welcomes the agricultural year all over Odisha, which marks through biological symbolism, the moistening of the summer parched soil with the first showers of the monsoon, thus making it ready for productivity. All night ‘Yatra’ performances or ‘Gotipua’ dances are arranged in prosperous villages where they can afford the professional groups. Enthusiastic amateurs also arrange plays and other kinds of entertainment. A special variety of cake is prepared out of ingredients like rice powder, molasses, coconut, camphor, ghee, etc., known as “Poda Pitha” (burnt cake). The size of the cake varies according to the number of family members. Cakes are also exchanged among relatives and friends. Young girls do not take rice during the three-day festival and sustain only with this type of cake, fried rice (‘Mudhi’), and vegetable curry.

While rivers, traditions, and community define Cuttack’s landscape, its culinary crown undeniably belongs to the legendary Dahibara Aloodum. Cuttack, often hailed as the street food capital of Odisha, is a culinary haven where flavors tell stories of tradition, culture, and community.  No mention of Cuttack’s culinary identity is complete without the legendary Dahibara Aloodam - a dish that has become synonymous with the city itself. What might look like a simple street snack to the uninitiated is, in fact, a deeply rooted cultural obsession in Cuttack, with locals lining up daily at their favorite stalls for a plate of this tangy, spicy, and soul-satisfying delicacy. 

At its core, Dahibara Aloodam is a beautiful harmony of textures and flavors. The dish begins with Dahibaras - soft, spongy vadas made from fermented black gram (urad dal), soaked in thin, mildly spiced yogurt water that keeps them cool and refreshing. But the magic truly begins when these are topped with a generous helping of Aloodam, a fiery, flavorful potato curry simmered in bold spices.

What takes this dish to the next level is the addition of Ghugni - a warm, spicy white pea curry poured over the mix - followed by a garnish of chopped onions, coriander, green chillies, a sprinkle of roasted cumin powder, and tangy. More than just food, Dahibara Aloodam is a tradition, passed through generations of street vendors, particularly around iconic hubs like Bidanasi, Barabati Stadium, or the many stalls crowding Chandini Chowk. Some families even have a favorite vendor they’ve sworn by for decades. To taste Dahibara Aloodam in Cuttack is not just to eat - it is to experience the heart and history of the city in its most delicious form.

Another sweet treasure that defines the region’s culinary pride is the Salepur Rasagulla by Bikalananda Kar, made from fresh chhena (curd cheese) prepared from cow or buffalo milk, offering a rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Beyond these signature dishes, the streets of Cuttack buzz with vendors selling Chaats, Gupchup (the local version of panipuri), and crispy samosas, creating an irresistible medley of textures and flavors. Food hotspots such as Chandini Chowk, Bidanasi, Stadium Road, Buxi Bazar, Dolamundai, and Choudhary Bazar are the lifelines of the city's food culture, drawing crowds from all walks of life.

During the grand Baliyatra festival, food lovers eagerly await the rare treat of Thunka Puri, a dish that makes its appearance only during this festive time, adding to the city’s culinary mystique.

Cuttack’s diverse population also brings richness to its foodscape. With a significant Muslim community, the aroma of Mughlai and Islamic delicacies - from rich biryani and smoky tandoori dishes to festive sweets like sheer kurma - wafts through various neighborhoods, blending seamlessly into the city’s food identity.