Odisha Hosts the Grand Finale of Femina Miss India 2026: A Historic First!

A Landmark Event for Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The 61st Femina Miss India Grand Finale is set to take place at KIIT University this Saturday, marking a significant milestone as Odisha hosts this prestigious beauty pageant for the very first time. The event is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 PM at the KIIT Campus 13 Cricket Stadium, with numerous celebrities from the fashion and entertainment industries expected to grace the occasion.

Notable attendees anticipated include Zeenat Aman, Madhur Bhandarkar, Terrance Lewis, Amaal Mallik, Celina Jaitly, Dutee Chand, and Vartika Singh. The thirty state winners, who have qualified for the national finale, have been residing at the KIIT campus since their arrival earlier this week, where they received a warm welcome and were honored in the presence of Dr. Achyuta Samanta, who has played a crucial role in facilitating the event in partnership with the Odisha Tourism Department.

Hosting the pageant at a university campus is viewed as a historic achievement, with KIIT becoming the first university in eastern India to host such an event. During their time in Odisha, the contestants have been immersed in the state's rich culture, cuisine, and traditions. They celebrated the Odia New Year at the KIIT campus, donning traditional patta silk sarees and savoring authentic Odia dishes, including the famous Chhena Poda.

Additionally, the contestants explored Puri, the Konark Sun Temple, Chandrabhaga Beach, and Mukteswar Temple as part of a cultural outreach initiative designed to highlight Odisha's tourism potential to a national audience. This event is poised to attract considerable attention to Bhubaneswar, further establishing the city as a key destination for large-scale cultural and entertainment events.