Bhubaneswar: Odisha came alive on Wednesday as lakhs of devotees across the state participated in Boita Bandana celebrations to mark Kartik Purnima, a festival commemorating the state’s ancient maritime heritage.
Devotees thronged rivers, ponds, and water bodies from early morning, floating miniature boats made of banana leaves, paper, and thermocol, adorned with lamps, flowers, and incense sticks. The ritual honors the seafaring tradition of ancient Kalinga traders who sailed to distant lands such as Bali, Java, Sumatra, Burma (Myanmar), and Sri Lanka to trade spices, textiles, silk, and handicrafts.
With chants of the ancient verse — “Aa Ka Ma Boi, Pana Gua Thoi, Pana Gua Tora, Masaka Dharama Mora, Boita Bandana Ho!” — devotees performed the ritual along riverbanks, offering prayers for prosperity, good fortune, and safe journeys.
At Bindusagar in Bhubaneswar’s Old Town, the atmosphere was festive as families gathered along the pond to perform the traditional rituals. Cuttack’s Gadagadia Ghat on the Mahanadi and Debi Ghat on the Kathjodi River also saw huge crowds as devotees celebrated Boita Bandana and ushered in the annual Baliyatra, a seven-day festival highlighting Odisha’s maritime trade history.
At Puri sea beach, thousands of people arrived from late Tuesday night to float tiny boats in the sea.
“Odia sailors (Sadhabas) used to sail across the Bay of Bengal to faraway lands to trade goods and bring back cultural influences. Festivals like Boita Bandana remind us of this glorious past,” said an elderly woman participating in the rituals.
Elsewhere, the banks of the Daya and Kuakhai rivers echoed with traditional chants, music, and the sounds of devotion. The festival not only celebrates Odisha’s historical connections with Southeast Asia but also serves as a prayer for prosperity and spiritual well-being.
Boita Bandana remains one of Odisha’s most significant cultural festivals, connecting modern generations with the state’s seafaring ancestors and maritime legacy.
