Bhubaneswar, 16 April (H.S.)Bhubaneswar: The town of Balugaon in Odisha’s Khordha district is set to host the first-ever Chilika Book Fair, scheduled to take place from April 24 to April 28, 2026.
The five-day literary event will be organised on the premises of Balugaon College, situated on the banks of the scenic Chilika Lake. A preparatory meeting for the event was held at the residence of Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, who chaired the discussions regarding arrangements and coordination.
Representatives of the Cuttack and Bhubaneswar Publishers’ Association attended the meeting and confirmed their participation in the fair. They also offered suggestions to ensure the successful organisation of the event. According to organisers, around 80 stalls will be set up by reputed publishers from across Odisha, showcasing a wide range of books across genres.
In addition to book stalls, food stalls will also be installed to cater to visitors during the event. The fair aims to create a vibrant cultural and literary atmosphere for students, readers, and the general public.
On the inaugural day, April 24, Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida and Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan are scheduled to jointly inaugurate the Chilika Book Fair.
Officials said the initiative is expected to promote reading habits and strengthen literary engagement in the region. The location near Chilika Lake is also anticipated to attract significant public interest, making the event both a cultural and educational attraction.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
