Odisha Parab 2025 in Bengaluru highlighted Odisha’s art, handlooms, cuisine, and tourism, strengthening cultural ties and promoting sustainable travel
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), organized Odisha Parab. This three-day cultural and tourism festival celebrated the State’s vibrant heritage, art, cuisine, and tourism offerings.
Odisha Parab 2025 took place from November 15th to 17th, 2025, at The LaLiT Ashok, Bengaluru, with support from the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), Mission Shakti, and Adisha. The event showcased a lively representation of Odisha’s cultural and tourism landscape, featuring exquisite crafts and handlooms, traditional cuisines, and world-class destinations, while enhancing the cultural and tourism connections between Odisha and Karnataka.
Attendees of Odisha Parab embarked on an immersive exploration of Odisha’s artistic essence, starting with the Craft and Handloom Pavilion, which displayed intricate silver filigree works, wood and stone carvings, palm leaf engravings, brass and bell metal appliques, and traditional wooden toys. Handloom treasures, such as Sambalpuri tie and dye sarees, tussar and silk fabrics, along with creations from Boyanika, Resham Odisha, and Bastralaya, were also exhibited. Artisans from Mission Shakti showcased unique crafts, including golden grass from Jagatsinghpur, Dhokra from Dhenkanal, and Pattachitra from Puri, while ORMAS and ADISHA presented jute crafts from Puri, tribal jewelry from Nabarangpur, and Koraput Coffee, uniting the craftsmanship of over thirty artisans from across the state.
Enhancing the festivities was the Odia Cuisine section, a comprehensive culinary display showcasing some of Odisha’s most beloved dishes. Curated by prominent chefs and hospitality partners, including Chef Sai Priya, Mayfair Hotels, Dalma Hotel, Odisha Hotel, Rasagulla.com, Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC), and Subhadra Shakti Group, this cuisine section presented traditional Odia delicacies such as Anna, Dalma, Mahura Ganta, Mutton Chop, and Pakudi, alongside authentic sweets and pithas like Enduri, Arisa, Handi Muan, Chenna Poda, Rasagola, and others. Additionally, millet-based cookies and bakery items showcased by Chocolaca Millet Counter and OTDC’s Nimantran restaurant highlighted Odisha’s culinary innovation, deeply rooted in tradition.
The cultural segment of Odisha Parab featured captivating performances that represented Odisha’s classical and folk traditions, including Odissi, Gotipua, Chhau, Sambalpuri, and other dance forms. Artists from esteemed cultural institutions such as Adyasha Foundation, Gayatri Kala Sangathana, Debnrutyam Dance Academy, A.K. Creation, and Painri performed, embodying the enduring rhythm and essence of Odisha’s cultural heritage.
Moreover, Odisha Parab also presented interactive tourism showcases that highlighted the State’s premier destinations and products, including Eco Retreats, Bhitarkanika, Satkosia, Daringbadi, and the Buddhist Circuit, thereby reinforcing Odisha’s status as a leading hub for sustainable and experiential tourism. In a subtle yet impactful initiative, the event featured roadshows with hospitality stakeholders, interactions with the diaspora, and dedicated B2B and G2B meetings, establishing a platform for business and networking opportunities within the tourism, hospitality, and creative sectors.
Among the dignitaries who attended the event were Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Tourism; Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department; and Deepankar Mahapatra, Director of the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha.