“Aitihya Ganadouda” (legacy marathon) was held in Bhubaneswar on Saturday by the Sports and Youth Services Department of Odisha as part of the current ‘Odia Pakhya’ festivities.

Hundreds of passionate individuals, including young people, cultural aficionados, and dignitaries, participated in the marathon, which began near the famous Khandagiri caves and ended at Kalinga Studio Square.

Alongside former track and field athlete Anuradha Biswal and cyclist Minati Mohapatra, Odisha’s Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj officially opened the marathon. The Odisha Sports and Youth Services Department said in a news release that the event was characterized by a strong feeling of cultural pride, enthusiastic participation, and the exuberance of cultural performances.

Minister for Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services and Odia Language, Literature & Culture Suryabanshi Suraj emphasized the importance of the event by saying, “Today, the Sports and Youth Department of Odisha organized a Heritage Marathon throughout the state to commemorate ‘Odia Pakhya.'” In addition to promoting Odisha culture, we want to raise awareness about the need of maintaining these cultural sites and their cleanliness by running this marathon through them.

Additionally, this marathon is raising national awareness of fitness and advancing Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’s Fit India agenda.”

In line with Prime Minister Modi’s goal of a Fit India, he said, “Odisha wants to engage with its 4.5 crore Odias and encourage them to integrate exercise into their everyday life beyond the Heritage Marathon. the use of several community engagement programs.

As the fifth day of the Odia Pakhya festivities, the “Aitihya Ganadouda” is a heartfelt ode to Odisha’s enduring legacy while simultaneously encouraging togetherness and physical health. The occasion was made more colorful with cultural acts, traditional Odia food, and community building.

In a celebration of the region’s cultural identity, participants uploaded photos taken in the picturesque Khandagiri locale to the official Odia Pakhya website.

The ceremony was made more lively by the presence of prominent Odia cinema actor Sabyasachi Mishra, senior politician Priyadarshi Mishra, Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, and Shri Jagannath Pradhan.

‘Odia Pakhya’ will be celebrated in a big way from April 1st, Odisha Day, to April 14th, Odia New Year, the Odisha government stated in a historic gesture. Through a variety of initiatives at all levels of government, from the local to the state, this 14-day event seeks to promote the Odia language, literature, culture, and legacy.