Odisha marks Kartik Purnima with vibrant Boita Bandana celebrations

Bhubaneswar, Nov 15: The banks of rivers and ponds across Odisha were filled with fervor as thousands of devotees gathered to celebrate Kartik Purnima, marking the traditional Boita Bandana ritual. People chanted the ancient verse “Aa ka ma bhayi, pana gua khai” as they gathered along riversides and water bodies to release miniature boats, paying homage to Odisha’s maritime heritage.

At Bindusagar in Bhubaneswar’s Old Town, devotees launched small boats crafted from banana leaf sheaths, paper, leaves, and thermocol, decorated with lamps, flowers, and incense sticks, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. This ritual honors Odisha’s cultural roots and recalls the maritime journeys of Kalinga’s ancient seafarers, who sailed to distant lands such as Bali and Java. The tradition serves to reconnect the people of Odisha with their rich history each year.

In Cuttack, Gadagadia Ghat on the Mahanadi and Debi Ghat on the Kathjodi River were also alive with activity as locals celebrated Boita Bandana, marking the start of the seven-day Baliyatra festival dedicated to the state’s maritime legacy.