Kartika Purnima, the full-moon day of the holy month of Kartika, was celebrated with religious fervour across the State on Monday. People from different walks of life floated miniature boats in ponds, rivers and other water bodies and bursted firecrackers to celebrate 'Boita Bandana' ritual, remembering the State's rich maritime history.
Elaborate arrangements were made at Bindusagar tank in Bhubaneswar for the people to float their boats. People thronged the banks of Bindusagar tank and floated tiny boats and offered puja at Lingaraj Temple even before the day broke today.
“Today is Kartika Purnima and we have come to float boats here. I am a local of Bhubaneswar and come here every year to float boat on this day. Everything went as per the plan. I am happy with the arrangements,” said an elderly lady.
The scenes at Gadagadia Ghat in Cuttack were quite similar to Bhubaneswar where thousands of religious men and women floated their boats.
“This is tradition very dear to us. We wake up early and come here in a group. Floating miniature boats is something the children also enjoy a lot," said a local.
The Boita Bandana celebrations were also held in Paradip, Gopalpur, Rourkela and other parts of the state. A large number of devotees visited Srimandir in Puri to witness the Rajarajeswara besha of the holy Trinity too.
Kartika month is deemed as one of the holiest months amongst the Hindus throughout India as well as Odisha. People follow a strictly vegetarian diet during this month and engage themselves in spiritual activities. The most crucial period during this month is a five-day observation of Punchuka, which ends with Kartika Purnima.
People who eat a non-vegetarian diet, get relief from their long break after this day and resume eating by observing Chada Khai.
During ancient times, sea traders known as ‘sadhabas’, used to begin their sea voyages on the full moon day of Kartika month of the Hindu calendar to foreign shores like Bali, Sumatra and Java.
Notably, Bali Yatra, the 10-day trade fair in the State organised to commemorate the sea voyages, will be inaugurated today evening on the banks of Mahanadi river.