Bhubaneswar: The most awaited festival of Boita bandana on Kartika Purnima is celebrated all across Odisha by illuminating the water bodies, rivers, ponds etc. On the occasion of the historic Boita Bandana rituals the whole state has come together to perform the traditional rituals with utmost excitement and joy. Various kinds of decorated, colourful boats ( boita) made of papers, thermaocol, banana stems are dazzling floated on the river and pond water. The traditional verse, ‘ Aa Ka Ma bhoi, pana gua khai’… was chanted on the river side by floating miniature boats in reverence of the maritime heritage.
This traditional rituals is considered auspicious, good fortune and also it is deeply association with the culture and heritage of the sea trading journey of Odisha ‘s traders in the ancient times. The traders in the old times used to sail through the sea route to many distant places such as Bali and Java. This festivity is a reflection and commemoration to the ancient past of Odisha.
At Bindusagar, Old Town Bhubaneswar, Gadagadia Ghat on Mahanadi amd Debi Ghat on the Kathakodi river, Cuttack , was filled with devotees celebrating the Boita Bandana by floating small boats made from banana leaf sheaths, paper, leaves, and thermocol, adorned with lamps, flowers, and incense sticks, lamps (Diya) as symbols of good fortune.
People were ushered to Cuttack Balijatra, going to be a seven-day fair on te river bank of Mahanadi starting from Kartika Purnima.
In Bhubaneswar , the banks of the Daya and Kuakhai rivers enchanted 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.
-OdishaAge
