Bali Jatra festival, which is celebrated for seven days, is associated with which of the following states?

DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

General Knowledge

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

Bali Jatra, literally meaning 'A Voyage to Bali', is one of the country's largest open-air fairs, celebrated in Cuttack, Odisha.
It commemorates the ancient maritime history of Kalinga (present-day Odisha) and its trade relations with Bali and other Southeast Asian islands like Java, Sumatra, and Borneo.
The festival begins on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartika month) and continues for seven to ten days.
A key tradition is 'Boita Bandana', where people float miniature boats, symbolizing the voyages of ancient mariners.

Option A: Madhya Pradesh, a landlocked state in central India, is known for its tribal festivals and cultural events like the Lokrang Festival and Khajuraho Dance Festival. It has no historical or cultural connection to the maritime-themed Bali Jatra.
Option B: Mizoram, located in Northeast India, has its unique set of festivals, primarily centered around agriculture and community bonding, such as Chapchar Kut, Mim Kut, and Pawl Kut. Bali Jatra is not part of its cultural landscape.
Option C: Haryana's culture is rich with festivals like Baisakhi, Lohri, and the famous Surajkund International Crafts Mela, which showcases handicrafts. The state does not have a tradition of celebrating the Bali Jatra festival.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Indian Cultural Festivals and Associated States as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
For community health nurses, large festivals like Bali Jatra are classified as mass gathering events, which require extensive public health planning and preparedness.
Key public health interventions include ensuring proper sanitation, providing safe drinking water, establishing first-aid posts, and implementing robust disease surveillance systems to prevent and control outbreaks of communicable diseases (e.g., cholera, influenza, COVID-19).
Crowd management strategies are crucial to prevent stampedes and other injuries.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks to link a specific cultural festival ('Bali Jatra') to its state of origin.
Scan the options provided, which are all Indian states.
This is a factual recall question based on general knowledge of Indian culture, history, and geography.
Analyze the name 'Bali Jatra'. 'Jatra' means journey or voyage, and 'Bali' refers to the island in Indonesia. This suggests a connection to maritime travel.
Consider the geographical and historical context of the options. Of the states listed, Odisha (ancient Kalinga) has a well-documented history of extensive maritime trade with Southeast Asia.
The other options (Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Haryana) are either landlocked or do not share this specific maritime history.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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