Bhubaneswar, Nov 15: Bhubaneswar and Cuttack came alive on Friday as lakhs of devotees gathered to celebrate Kartik Purnima, marking the historic Boita Bandana ritual. With chants of the ancient verse “Aa ka ma bhayi, pana gua khai,” people flocked to riversides and water bodies to float miniature boats, honouring Odisha’s maritime heritage.
At Bindusagar in Bhubaneswar's Old Town, devotees floated tiny boats made from banana leaf sheaths, paper, leaves, and thermocol, adorned with lamps, flowers, and incense sticks as symbols of good fortune. The ritual, deeply rooted in Odisha’s cultural memory, recalls the journeys of Kalinga’s ancient traders, or Sadhabas, who sailed to distant lands like Bali and Java. "Boita Bandana is a significant part of the Odia calendar, symbolising our state’s maritime legacy," shared Manju Sarangi, a local devotee. "Floating these boats with my family brings a sense of connection to our past."
Elsewhere, the banks of the Daya and Kuakhai rivers echoed with the sounds of traditional chants and celebrations. Suchitra Mohapatra of nearby locality, highlighted the spiritual significance: “This ritual connects us with our ancestors’ journey to faraway lands. It’s more than a celebration; it’s a prayer for our own spiritual journey.”
Cuttack’s Gadagadia Ghat on the Mahanadi and Debi Ghat on the Kathjodi were bustling with activity, as locals celebrated Boita Bandana and ushered in the annual Baliyatra, a seven-day festival dedicated to the state’s rich commercial history.
