A couple thousand years ago, seagoing merchants in Odisha, then Kalinga, crossed the Indian Ocean to trade with South-East Asia. These seamen, called Sadhabas, went all the way to Bali, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. To commemorate this epic voyage, a seven-day celebration called Bali Jatra (Journey to Bali) is still held every year in Cuttack, Odisha. On the banks of the Mahanadi, this great journey made for furthering trade and cultural ties between such far-flung areas is still respected and given proper importance.
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