Puri holds annual beach festival

Bhubaneshwar, Nov 27 (ANI): The 'Puri Beach Festival' in Orissa is attracting thousands of tourists including foreigners.

The five-day annual festival that kicked off on November 23, is aimed at promoting tourism at Puri, which is sacred to Hindus for the famous Jagannath temple dedicated to Hindu God Krishna.

The fun filled fiesta combines the festive spirit of a carnival with the rich cultural heritage of Orissa. It is showcasing the coastal province's art, craft, cuisine and dances.t is for the first time in the 15 years long history of the Puri Beach Festival, that artistes from overseas are participating and exhibiting their talent, thus making it the 'International Puri Beach Festival'.

The festival features various cultural programmes with budding artistes from different states of the country performing classical and folk dances to showcase their talent. Around 2500 artistes from various states are participating.

According to the organiser of the show, Ram Krushna Dasmohapatra, the beach festival gives the much-needed boost to tourism in the State.

"Growth of tourism is the main aim behind the Beach festival. Many people have come here to attend the show and we are expecting a lot more. All the hotels in Orissa are booked," said Dasmohapatra.

Started in the year 1993, the festival not only provides budding artistes a platform to exhibit their talents but also gives good business opportunities to the hotel owners.oreign tourists marvelled at the graceful performances by classic dancers.

"This festival will show us the culture of India and I am so blessed to see that," said Paul, a tourist from Germany.

The efforts of the Orissa tourism department and the local hotel industry have been successful, as the number of tourists has been continuously increasing. (ANI)