Odisha Takes Its Culture East as Odisha Parab 2026 Begins in Guwahati

Bhubaneswar: From the rhythms of Odissi to the flavours of authentic Odia cuisine, Odisha brought a slice of its living heritage to Guwahati on Thursday with the inauguration of Odisha Parab 2026, a three-day cultural and tourism showcase aimed at strengthening ties with the Northeast and presenting the State as a vibrant, experience-rich destination.

Organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, in association with FICCI, the event highlights Odisha’s art, culture, handlooms, handicrafts, cuisine and diverse tourism experiences, while fostering deeper cultural and people-to-people engagement between Odisha and Assam.

The selection of Guwahati—widely regarded as the gateway to the Northeast— reflects Odisha’s intent to build stronger tourism and cultural linkages with the Eastern and Northeastern regions. Scheduled from January 30 to February 1, 2026, Odisha Parab 2026 is being supported by the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, ORMAS and Mission Shakti.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha and Minister for Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism, along with Diganta Barah, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Assam. Balwant Singh, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism Department, Odisha, and Deepankar Mohapatra, Director of Tourism, Government of Odisha, were also present, besides tourism stakeholders, industry leaders, members of the Odia diaspora and invited guests.

Addressing the gathering, Parida described Odisha Parab as a flagship outreach initiative that positions Odisha as an experiential tourism destination, seamlessly blending heritage, cuisine, nature and modern tourism infrastructure.

Diganta Barah underscored the growing tourism linkages between Odisha and Assam and welcomed such inter-state collaborations, noting that cultural exchanges play a key role in expanding tourism footprints across regions.

Senior officials of the Tourism Department stated that Odisha Parab is not just a cultural festival but a comprehensive tourism engagement platform, bringing artisans, performers, culinary experts and tour operators together to showcase Odisha’s creative economy and tourism strengths.