The Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, in association with FICCI as the industry partner, on Saturday inaugurated Odisha Parab 2026 in Guwahati, marking the commencement of a three-day cultural and tourism showcase.
The event has emerged as a platform to highlight Odisha’s rich heritage, vibrant traditions, exquisite handicrafts, handlooms, authentic cuisine and diverse tourism experiences, while strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties between Odisha and Assam.
The choice of Guwahati, widely regarded as the gateway to the Northeast, reflects Odisha’s strategic focus on deepening cultural and tourism engagement with the Eastern and Northeastern regions of the country, fostering greater connectivity, collaboration and mutual exchange.
Odisha Parab 2026 is being held from 30 January to 1 February in Guwahati, with the support of the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, ORMAS, and Mission Shakti.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Odisha Pravati Parida, Deputy Chief Minister, Diganta Barah, Secretary, Tourism Department, Government of Assam; Balwant Singh, Secretary, Department of Tourism; and Deepankar Mohapatra, Director Tourism, Government of Odisha. The occasion was attended by tourism stakeholders, industry leaders, members of the Odia diaspora and the guests.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted Odisha Parab as a flagship cultural outreach initiative of the State, aimed at presenting Odisha as an experiential destination that seamlessly blends culture, heritage, cuisine, nature and modern tourism infrastructure.
Barah emphasized the importance of inter-state collaboration in tourism promotion and appreciated Odisha’s initiative in showcasing its cultural and tourism strengths in Assam, noting the growing tourism linkages between the two regions.
Senior officials from the Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha, reiterated that Odisha Parab is not merely a cultural festival, but a comprehensive tourism engagement platform that brings together artisans, performers, culinary experts, tour operators, and institutional stakeholders under one roof.