Varanasi, Aug 2026: The vibrant colours, flavours, craftsmanship and living traditions of Odisha came alive in Varanasi on Saturday as Odisha Parab commenced at the Deendayal Hastkala Sankul – Trade Facilitation Centre & Crafts Museum, showcasing the State’s rich cultural heritage, traditional arts, cuisine and diverse tourism experiences.
Organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, in association with FICCI as the industry partner, the three-day celebration will continue until August 24. The event is supported by the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department; Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department; Mission Shakti; Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS); and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC).
The Odisha Parab exhibition was inaugurated by Shri K. V. Singh Deo and Smt. Pravati Parida, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Ministers of Odisha. The dignitaries toured the exhibition and food stalls, interacting with artisans, entrepreneurs and participants while exploring the wide range of crafts, handlooms, traditional products and culinary offerings representing Odisha’s cultural diversity.
The exhibition features 32 stalls, including 22 craft stalls and 10 cuisine stalls. The craft section showcases traditional and contemporary art forms such as Pattachitra, palm-leaf engraving, Dhokra, silver filigree, handloom, Kotpad textiles, brass and bronze crafts, jute products and other handicrafts.
Visitors can also witness live demonstrations of Pattachitra, palm-leaf engraving, silver filigree and Dhokra, providing an opportunity to understand the skill, patience and traditional knowledge passed down through generations.
The food section presents Odisha’s distinctive culinary traditions, featuring traditional Odia cuisine, Pitha, sweets, Dahibara Aloodum, traditional snacks, millet-based products and Koraput Coffee, among other regional specialities.
Rather than functioning merely as a product exhibition, Odisha Parab has been designed as an immersive platform where visitors can meet the artisans, weavers, entrepreneurs and community groups who keep Odisha’s traditions alive. The initiative offers an opportunity to experience the stories, skills and cultural knowledge behind the State’s crafts and cuisine.
The formal inaugural ceremony in the evening brought together senior leaders and officials from Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the growing cultural and tourism ties between the two States.
The ceremony was attended by Shri Keshav Prasad Maurya, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Chief Guest; Smt. Pravati Parida, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha; Shri Jaiveer Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Tourism and Culture, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Shri Anil Rajbhar, Hon’ble Minister for Labour and Employment, Coordination, Government of Uttar Pradesh; and Dr. Awadhesh Singh, MLA, Pindra, Varanasi.
Senior officials present included Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Shri Amrit Abhijat, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Tourism, Culture and Religious Affairs, Government of Uttar Pradesh; Shri Awanish Kumar Awasthi, IAS, Chief Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh; Shri Balwant Singh, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha; Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, IAS, Secretary, Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture, Government of Odisha; and Shri Deepankar Mohapatra, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha.
The participation of senior leadership from both States underscored the significance of Odisha Parab as a platform for cultural exchange, tourism cooperation and stronger people-to-people connections.
The Varanasi edition holds particular significance because of the deep spiritual and cultural resonance between Varanasi and Odisha. Varanasi, the sacred city associated with Lord Mahadev, and Odisha, the land of Lord Jagannath, represent two important centres of India’s living spiritual heritage. Odisha Parab seeks to build on this shared cultural ethos by bringing Odisha’s traditions, art, cuisine, craftsmanship and tourism experiences to Varanasi.
The inaugural day also featured a vibrant cultural programme showcasing Odisha’s performing traditions, including Odissi, Gotipua and Sambalpuri, alongside folk and traditional performances.
A dedicated tourism showcase highlights Odisha’s diverse destinations, including Puri and Konark, the Buddhist heritage circuit of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri, and natural and wildlife destinations such as Chilika, Bhitarkanika and Similipal.
The showcase also presents Odisha’s growing portfolio of eco-tourism, wildlife, adventure and experiential tourism, giving visitors a glimpse of the many ways in which the State can be explored.
Through the convergence of crafts, handlooms, cuisine, performing arts, rural enterprises and tourism experiences, Odisha Parab reflects a whole-of-government approach to presenting Odisha not only as a tourism destination but also as a vibrant cultural ecosystem supporting livelihoods, entrepreneurship and community participation.
Over the next two days, visitors will have the opportunity to experience Odisha through its faith, culture, cuisine and crafts, interact with artisans and entrepreneurs, enjoy traditional performances, sample authentic Odia food and explore the State’s diverse tourism destinations.
The Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, along with its partner departments and institutions, has invited the people of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and visitors from across the country to experience Odisha Parab and discover the many dimensions of Odisha’s living heritage.
Odisha Parab, Varanasi
Dates: August 22–24, 2026
Venue: Convention Hall, Deendayal Hastkala Sankul, Varanasi
Theme: Faith • Culture • Cuisine • Crafts
Entry: Open to visitors
