Bhubaneswar, Jan 4: The capital city came alive today as the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) hosted the first Patha Utsav of the year. The event drew large crowds to Janpath, stretching from Master Canteen to Ram Mandir.

The chilly morning turned festive as residents thronged the streets to enjoy music, dance, comedy, and cultural performances. Singer Antara Chakraborty mesmerised audiences with her songs, while comedian Papu Pom Pom left the crowd in splits.

Spectators were further captivated by Odissi and contemporary dance performances, energetic Zumba sessions, and the talent showcase “Bhubaneswar’s Got Talent”. This year, the platform featured two separate stages for local performers.

A second stage kept the youth engaged with DJ beats, while rangoli designs lit up the entire stretch of Janpath. The event also featured yoga, skating, street plays, traditional dances, and fun games, ensuring entertainment for all age groups.

The Patha Utsav was inaugurated in the presence of dignitaries, including Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan as the chief guest, BMC Mayor Sulochana Das, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Madhya MLA Ananta Narayan Jena, BMC Commissioner Chanchal Rana, and several corporators.

Speaking at the event, the Law Minister urged citizens to keep the city’s main roads clean. He also highlighted how initiatives like Patha Utsav can help reduce pollution by restricting vehicular movement for a few hours.

According to BMC, the festival aims to provide a refreshing break from routine life, promote cultural vibrancy, encourage community bonding, and contribute to environmental awareness.