Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The twin cities Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, and the region as such, became a hive of activity Wednesday as it celebrated Kartik Purnima. Scores gathered on river banks and around other water bodies to float miniature boats as part of the Boita Bandana ritual. They chanted the lines Aa ka ma bhayi, pana gua Khai. Pana gua tora, masaka dharma mora, (an ancient verse for the mariners).
Devotees at Bindusagar in Old Town floated boats made of banana leaf sheaths, paper, leaves and thermocol. These boats carried lamps, flowers and incense sticks as symbols of good luck. Men, women and children attired in traditional garb attended the event.
Boita Bandana harks back to the maritime roots of Orissa. Traders of the state used to start their journey for Bali on Kartik Purnima. And the ritual was supposed to work as a good luck charm for the safe return of the traders before the onset of the rainy season. Traders of Kalinga were known to sail to distant lands of Southeast Asia.
“Boita bandana is an important festival in the Oriya calendar and it symbolises the commercial heritage of the state. It feels great to float these boats in the company of family members,” Manju Sarangi, a housewife, said.
While many celebrated the festival with gay abandon, others worried about the ritual’s ill effects on water bodies and the environment.
Members of Smile Orissa, a city-based organisation, went about cleaning the ritual site at Bindusagar. They also formed a human chain to create awareness about keeping the environment clean.
Meanwhile, on the banks of the rivers Daya and Kuakhai the ritual was kicked off with traditional fervour. “This ritual is a reminder of ancient trade journey where the Sadhabas set out for Bali, Sumatra and Java for commerce. The river represents life beyond, the spiritual world, and devotees sail boats and pray to the lord to help us cross the river of worldly ties with grace,” Suchitra Mohapatra, a devotee, said.
People from other States, too, had joined the rituals. Rajani Samantray was born in Bhubaneswar. But the 45-year-old had to shift to Delhi after marriage. “Each year I come to my home city to celebrate ‘Boita Bandana’ with parents. Many of us from different locations gathered here to celebrate Kartika Purnima,” she said.
Cuttack was immersed in piety with devotees thronging the Gadagadia ghat on Mahanadi river and Debi ghat on Kathjodi river for Boita Bandana. The centuries old, seven-day ritual Baliyatra also started in the silver city.
Meanwhile, in Puri, Lord Jagannath was presented in the Rajarajeswar besha, for Kartik Purnima. The deity is decorated with 23 types of gold jewellery on the day.
