Khurda: The administration Sunday kick-started celebrations for silver jubilee of creation of Khurda district by organising a padayatra (walkthon) and raahagiri (street festival) here.
Sources said that the administration will soon finalise a date for organising a grand event to mark the completion of 25 years of Khurda as a district.
Tourism and Culture minister Ashok Chandra Panda inaugurated the padayatra and raahagiri at Jayee Rajguru park here. Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Patsani, Khurda MLA Rajendra Kumar Sahoo, Zilla Parishad chairperson Prafulla Dalei, municipality chairperson Sanjukta Sahu, superintendent of police Dipti Ranjan Ray and sub-collector Saroj Sahu among others were present on the occasion.
Hundreds of people from various walks of life participated in the padayatra. Artistes performed traditional dances like Baghanacha and Bhalunacha during the walkathon. The padayatra culminated at BJB High School ground after passing through Nayagarh Road, Tareni temple, old bus stand and Bank Square.
Raahagiri or the street festival was organised on the main road between Bank Square and new bus stand.
Artistes and school students performed traditional dances like Sambalpuri, Chaitali Ghodanacha, Dalkhai and Rasarkeli. Youths and children also displayed martial arts and yoga to mark the occasion.
A private school also organised a quiz competition at the street festival.