Puri Beach festival is a grand cultural feast celebrated at Puri in Odisha every year for providing an invigorating time to the art and fun lovers. Some of the finest artistic talents can be experienced in this festival along with enjoyable activities. It is accredited as the first beach festival of the country. This five day festival is held in the month of November and allures numerous tourists from distant regions. Being a popular pilgrimage site, Puri forms an excellent host for this vivacious festival which offers a pleasant opportunity to unfold the charms of Odisha in addition to having a refreshing time. Interesting events including fashion shows, cultural programs, exhibitions and scrumptious cuisine form the major attractions of the festival. The festival creates an excellent platform for showcasing the vibrant culture and fascinating talents of the local folks. Puri Beach festival has also played a major role in augmenting the tourism of the place.

Organization of Puri Beach Festival
Puri Beach festival is organized by Hotel Association of Puri (HAP) in collaboration with Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Department of Tourism and Culture, Government of Odisha, Song and Drama Division, EZCC, New Delhi, Kolkata and ICCR. The beautiful Swargadwara beach forms the venue for this vivacious festival. It was organized for the first time on 29th October 1993 and was inaugurated by Late Sri Biju Pattnaik and Gulam Nabi Azad, the dynamic leader of Odisha and union minister for tourism respectively.

Features of Puri Beach Festival
Puri Beach festival is celebrated with the objective of presenting the art, craft, culture, cuisine, sports and tourism of the state to the people across the globe. The festival features an enthralling aura where magnificent classical, folk and contemporary dances, rock concerts, food festivals, handicrafts, beach parties, fashion shows, sand sculptures and many other activities can be greatly cherished. Distinguished artists grace the festival with exquisite performances. Beautiful handlooms and handicrafts exclusive of the place offer a delightful shopping experience to the visitors. Traditional sports including Mallakhamb, Kabadi, boat or yacht races and beach volleyball also added to the attractions. The event is a delight to senses for the visitors belonging to all age groups. Puri Beach festival is an excellent event to familiarize with local folks and exploring the pulsating charms dwelling beneath the culture and tradition of the state.