Bhubaneswar/Cuttack/Puri: Odisha observed the auspicious occasion of Kartik Purnima on Wednesday by performing the ritual of ‘Boita Bandana,’ where miniature boats are floated in water bodies to commemorate the state’s millennia-old maritime trade tradition.
People from all walks of life participated in large congregations at key sites, including the Bindu Sagar Tank in Bhubaneswar, the Kuakhia River, and the Gadagadia Ghat on the Mahanadi River in Cuttack.
The ritual is performed to recall the time when Odia ‘Sadhabas’ (traders) embarked on long sea voyages to Southeast Asian islands like Java, Sumatra, and Bali for business, with their family members floating small boats to wish for their safe return.
President and other political leaders extend wishes on Kartik Purnima
President Droupadi Murmu, a native of Odisha, extended her greetings. In a post on X, she wrote, “On this auspicious occasion of the historic ‘Baliyatra’ and ‘Boita Bandana’, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to the people of the country, especially to the people of Odisha. Baliyatra is a symbol of Odisha’s glorious maritime trade tradition and cultural heritage. I believe that by drawing inspiration from our glorious past, we will work together to build a developed India.”
Apart from the President, Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Naveen Patnaik greeted the people on the occasion.
Puri deities adorned in Gold
In Puri’s Jagannath temple, the sibling deities—Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath—were adorned in the spectacular ‘Raja Rajeswari Bhesa’ or golden attire. Kartik Purnima is one of only five occasions annually when the deities wear this lavish golden costume.
Anticipating a huge rush, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had kept the temple open for darshan throughout Tuesday night. Authorities reported that around one lakh devotees visited the temple by 11 am on Wednesday, with many taking a dip in the sea before having a darshan of the deities.
The festival also marks the beginning of the annual seven-day open-air Bali Yatra in Cuttack, which highlights Odisha’s seafaring tradition.
