Boita bandana

Boita Bandana is a traditional Odia maritime and naval festival celebrated annually on Kartik Purnima in Odisha.

(ବୋଇତ ବନ୍ଦାଣ)Boita Bandana is a traditional Odia maritime and naval festival celebrated annually on Kartik Purnima throughout Odisha

Kartika Purnima is touted as the Holiest day in the Hindu calendar. As per folklore, people who die on this day go directly to Heaven. This day is observed with much religious activity in most parts of India. 'Deepam Daan' or 'Dipa Daana' as we call it in Oriya is a must on this day. Bali Jatra on the banks of river Mahanadi also kicks off on this day. Boita Baandana is also celebrated on this day. While it started in very ancient times in reverence of Orissa's (then 'Kalinga') rich maritime…

HAPPY KARTIKA PURNIMA 2022! Kartika Purnima celebrated on the full moon day of Kartik month. In Odisha, on Kartik Purnima, people celebrate Boita Bandana ବୋଇତ ବନ୍ଦାଣ commemorating the glorious maritime history when it was known as Kalinga. #KartikaPurnima #festival

Odisha celebrates many festivals and several 'Yatra'. In ancient times, enterprising sons of Odisha, traders referred to as Sadhaba & Sadhaba-pua used to sail from Odisha's ports in huge boats to foreign lands like Bali, Java, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Borneo etc. At Bali Jatra venue, Cuttack Boats are present in the handicrafts, handlooms and art of Odisha like in the framed Pattachitra (painting) below. Pattachitra Art depicting the welcome for the Sadhaba-pua The expeditions usually…

Bali Yatra, which is said to be the largest fair of Odisha, begins on Kartik Purnima and lasts for a period of seven days. The festival is held in the sands of river Mahanadi in Cuttack to mark the glorious past of the state as in the ancient days Odia merchants were sailing to Indonesia and Srilanka for trading, on large vessels called ‘Boita’. The scientific reason of starting the voyage on Kartika Purnima is to take advantage of the favorable wind that blows during this time.