'Boita Bandana Utsav' in Odisha (Orissa)

'Boita Bandana Utsav' in Odisha is celebrated on the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima or Karhik Purnima. People in Odisha (Orissa) celebrate 'Boita Bandana Utsav' to recall their maritime past. Boitas were ships that were built in ancient Odisha during the period of Kalinga empire.

Ancient Odia merchants, called Sadhabas (Sea Traders) used the boitas to travel to distant lands such as Bali, Java, Sumatra, and Borneo, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Vietnam, Persia, China, Africa and Greece for trade and cultural expansion. They used to start their journey on the auspicious day of Kartik Purnima (Karthik Full Moon Day).

People in Odisha celebrate that day by floating boitas made of Banana branches and other materials in the river, ponds and seas in the wee hours of Kartik Purnima and then take holy dip in the water. Watch this video to learn more about 'Boita Bandana Utsav' in Odisha. The 'Bali Yatra' or 'Bali Jatra' will begin today at Cuttack, which will last for a period of three to four days. It's a great festival or fair for people of Odisha.