Three top flagship events were inaugurated in Odisha yesterday, with the goal of attracting more tourists from India and abroad. The Konark Festival, International Sand Art Festival, and Eco Retreat Odisha were among them.
The Konark Festival is held every year from December 1 to 5, and this year’s 33rd edition was inaugurated virtually by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The festival, which takes place against the backdrop of the famous Konark temple, is renowned for being an excellent platform for showcasing India’s dance forms, and it began with a scintillating Odissi performance by Datuk Ramli Ibrahim & Group of Malaysia’s Sutra Foundation.
The performance of Ibrahim and his group was centred on Lord Rama and included Homage to Rama, Hero of the Ramayana-Mangalacharan-Shri Rama Dhyana, Sthai, Sita Swayambar, and Remembering Rama.
Guru Gajendra Kumar Panda and Ibrahim choreographed and conceptualised this show, which was based on compositions by Guru Gajendra Kumar Panda, Pandit Gopal Chandra Panda, Guru Satchidananda Das, and Sangita Panda.
Following the Odissi recital was a Kathak performance titled Chhand-Laya-Gati by Rajendra Gangani and Group from New Delhi’s Guru Kundanlal Gangani Foundation.
The festival, organised by the Odisha Government in collaboration with the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi and the Odisha Tourism Development Corporation, will be broadcast live on social media platforms as well as DD Bharati and DD Odia.
Along with the Konark Festival, the International Sand Art Festival 2022 is being held for five days at Chandrabhaga beach. It was inaugurated by Tourism Minister Aswini Kumar Patra and Electronics and Information Technology Minister Tusharkanti Behera.
The 12th edition of the sand festival features 103 artisans from Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu, as well as five international artists from Spain, Singapore, Russia, Canada, and Japan.
The CM also kicked off the fourth edition of the Eco Retreat Odisha, which is being held in Putsil, Sonapur, Satkosia, Bhitarkanika, Hirakud, and Daringbadi. This camping event allows visitors to explore and interact with nature.
While accommodation is provided in safe and sanitary tents and cottages, tourists can also take advantage of a variety of other amenities. 24 hour assistance, air conditioning/heating, a bar, a doctor on call, guided tours, a kids’ area, recreational activities, a restaurant, and toiletries were among the amenities.
All meals, evening hi-tea, a local sightseeing tour, and a water sport ride are also included in the package.
Prasanta Patnaik 
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