In Odisha, a great number of people participated in the annual tradition of the boat festival known as Boita Bandana and launched toy boats to commemorate the occasion. Every year on Kartik Purnima, the celebration is held as a tribute to the state’s maritime pride.
In the state of Odisha, Kartik Purnima is often referred to as the Boita Bandana or Boat Festival. Men, women, and kids all participate in the festival by launching toy boats to mark the occasion.
It is a custom that has been observed for a long time. On Kartik Purnima, people gather near water early in the morning to launch traditional boats made of banana stems and banyan leaves; in urban areas, paper boats are used instead. To commemorate a 1,000-year-old boat celebration, these boats are floated beside lit candles, betel leaves, flowers, milk, cracker fruit, and cash. It is thought that our ancestors once travelled by boat to Indonesia to bring back supplies for the government. To take a holy swim, people also engage in religious ceremonies.
Kartik Purnima is observed on the last day of Panchuka, the last five days of the auspicious month of Kartika. It is regarded as a major day to honour Odisha’s marine prowess.
Many adherents also think that tradition should be used to pray to and solicit the blessings of one’s ancestors.
Prasanta Patnaik