Orissa High Court Greenlights Bali Yatra 2025 Celebrations

In a significant development, the Orissa High Court has clarified that it has not imposed any restrictions on the use of the Upper Bali Yatra ground (killa maidan) for the upcoming Bali Yatra 2025. This paves the way for the district administration to proceed with arrangements across both the upper and lower grounds for the historic festival.

In an order issued on October 9, 2025, a special bench of the high court stated that it has not put any "fetters" on the district administration regarding the use of the Upper Bali Yatra ground for organizing the Bali Yatra 2025. The court has made it clear that the administration does not require any further permission to utilize a part of the Upper Bali Yatra Ground for the grand cultural event.

The clarification comes in response to a compliance affidavit filed by the Cuttack district collector, Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde. Earlier, the court had directed the administration to explore the feasibility of shifting all stalls to the Lower Bali Yatra Ground to decongest the Ring Road, a major concern raised by the advocates' committee.

However, several stakeholders, including political parties, senior citizens, corporates, and cultural bodies, objected to the complete shifting of stalls, citing the Upper Ground's historical and cultural significance as the original venue of Bali Yatra. The administration has now received the green light to organize the Bali Yatra 2025 across both the upper and lower grounds, ensuring the event's grand scale and preserving its rich heritage.