Bhubaneswar, Nov 15: On Friday morning, before daybreak, people gathered at Gadagadia Ghat in Cuttack and Bindu Sagar tank in Bhubaneswar to celebrate ‘Boita Bandana’ on Kartika Purnima, a significant festival marking the end of the holy month. This age-old tradition involves sailing miniature boats to honor Odisha’s rich maritime heritage.
As part of the observance, people flocked to various water bodies across the state to release boats crafted from banana stems and banyan leaves. These boats were adorned with symbolic offerings such as flowers, coins, cowries (Kaudis), betel leaves (Pana), betel nuts (Guā), and lighted lamps. In addition to this, devotees performed religious rituals and took holy dips in the water as part of the celebration.
Boita Bandana serves as a reminder of Odisha’s glorious past, specifically the Sadhabas, the maritime merchants and seafarers of ancient Kalinga, who sailed across the Indian Ocean to distant lands like Bali, Sumatra, and Java. The ritual connects modern-day Odias to their maritime history and cultural legacy.