Bhubaneswar: The banks of the rivers and ponds across Odisha 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 is deeply rooted in Odisha’s cultural heritage and reminisce the valiant sea journeys of Kalinga’s ancient traders, who sailed to distant lands like Bali and Java. The festival reconnects people to Odisha’s past every year.
Cuttack’s Gadagadia Ghat on the Mahanadi and Debi Ghat on the Kathjodi river bustled with activity, as locals celebrated Boita Bandana and ushered in the annual Baliyatra, a seven-day festival dedicated to Odisha’s rich marine trade history.
Elsewhere, the banks of the Daya and Kuakhai rivers echoed with the sounds of traditional chants and celebrations. This ritual connects Odias with their ancestors’ journey to faraway lands. It’s more than a celebration; it is a prayer for one’s spiritual journey.
