Centre promoting Nabakalebar fest globally

The Centre is actively promoting Odisha's Nabakalebar festival at the international level to popularise the culture of Lord Jagannath across the globe, union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Sunday.

He said the Centre is providing necessary assistance for the festival scheduled to be held at Puri in July this year. Releasing a documentary film here on the uniqueness of the Jagannath culture, he said the initiative is aimed at promoting the festival globally and make people aware about the various traditions related to the deities.

The film 'Debata Hoeele Maraee' (Even the Gods Must Die) is based on Lord Jagannath's Nabakalebar festival and written by eminent writer Bibhudharanjan and directed by Sanjay Kanungo and Gurujee Swetachandan.

With a unique reflection on the Jagannath culture, this movie has been made in both Odia and English languages. It will be widely available from June next. The Centre has already sanctioned Rs.50 crore for the festival.

The union tourism ministry, in coordination with the petroleum ministry, will celebrate the Nabakalebar festival as an international tourism event this year.