Odisha Relives Maritime Tradition On Kartika Purnima; Cultural Parallels In Thailand & Bali

Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: People gathered at Gadagadia Ghat in Cuttack and Bindu Sagar tank in Bhubaneswar before daybreak on Friday to participate in ‘Boita Bandana’ traditions on Kartika Purnima by sailing miniature boats to commemorate Odisha’s glorious maritime past.

Similar congregations were also seen in Puri. Devotees also visited Shree Jagannath Temple to witness the ‘Rajadhiraja Besha’ of the sibling deities.

“Aa ka Ma Boi, Pana Gua Thoi Pana Gua Tora, Masaka Dharama Mora”

Boita bandana is observed on the Kartika Purnima that marks the end of the holy month.

Early in the morning, on Kartik Purnima, people make their way to different water bodies across the state to set afloat boats made up of banana stems and banyan leaves, with various symbolic offerings like flowers, coins, ‘Kaudis’ or cowries, ‘Pana’ or betel leaves, ‘Guā’ or betel nuts, along with a lighted lamp.

Along with it people also perform religious rituals to take a holy dip.

Boita Bandana echoes the collective consciousness and memories of the past when Sadhabas – the maritime merchants & seafarers of Kalinga – used to set sail across the Indian Ocean to distant lands like Bali, Sumatra and Java.

Thailand’s Version Of Boita Bandana

Not known to many, Thailand has its version of Odisha’s Boita Bandana.

In Thailand, it is called Loy Krathong. People gather around water bodies and pray to the Water Goddess. They set afloat beautiful rafts in the shape of lotus flowers. These are decorated with candles, incense and flowers. The flickering light of the candles creates magic in the water.

Apart from being an apology for polluting the water bodies, the festival signifies the end of the harvest season and is a thanksgiving ritual for abundant supply throughout the year. There is also a belief that it signifies forgetting grudges and anger. If your candle remains lit until the Krathong (boat) disappears out of sight, all the luck is yours.

Nyepi – Day of Silence

The Balinese celebration of Nyepi, the Hindu New Year, also bears similarities to the rituals of Kartik Purnima in Odisha. On this day, people there wear traditional attire and move in processions toward the sea, praying and performing rituals that symbolise the cleansing of impurities. This day of absolute silence, is strictly reserved for self-reflection before starting anew.