Bhubaneswar: On November 5, the air across Odisha was filled with festivity and devotion as people celebrated the sacred festival of Kartik Purnima, marked by the ancient Boita Bandana ritual, a symbolic tribute to the state’s rich maritime heritage. From the early hours of the day, devotees flocked to rivers, ponds, and water bodies across the state, sailing miniature boats made of banana bark and leaves, beautifully adorned with lamps, incense, betel leaves, and areca nuts.
The resonating chants of “Aa Ka Ma Bai, Paan Gua Thoi, Paan Gua Tora, Maasa Kara Dharma Mora…” echoed through towns and villages, rekindling the collective memories of Kalinga’s ancient maritime glory. Thousands gathered at Gadagadia Ghat in Cuttack and Bindu Sagar tank in Bhubaneswar before sunrise to participate in the Boita Bandana rituals. Similar scenes unfolded in Puri, where devotees visited the Jagannath Temple to witness the ‘Rajadhiraja Besha’ of the sibling deities — a rare and revered event marking the end of the holy month of Kartik.
Deeply rooted in Odisha’s cultural and spiritual fabric, the festival is observed on Kartik Purnima, which marks the conclusion of the sacred Kartik month. On this day, people take a holy dip in rivers and other water bodies before setting afloat miniature boats made of banana stems or banyan leaves. These boats, known as boitas, are decorated with symbolic offerings such as flowers, coins, cowries (kaudis), betel leaves (paan), areca nuts (guā), and lighted lamps, signifying prayers for good fortune, peace, and spiritual merit.
Remembering the Maritime Glory of Kalinga
The Boita Bandana festival serves as a cultural bridge connecting modern Odisha with its illustrious maritime past. It celebrates the spirit of the Sadhabas ,the ancient maritime merchants and seafarers of Kalinga , who once embarked on long voyages across the Indian Ocean to distant lands such as Bali, Java, Sumatra, and Sri Lanka for trade and cultural exchange.
According to legend, the wives of these seafarers, known as Sadhabanis, would bid them farewell with prayers and rituals, wishing for their safety and prosperity during their voyages. The floating of miniature boats during Kartik Purnima thus symbolises remembrance and reverence for those historic journeys and the maritime prowess of ancient Odisha.
In many places, families, especially women and children, participated in these rituals together, transforming riverbanks into vibrant, illuminated scenes of devotion and joy. From Cuttack’s Mahanadi banks to the Rushikulya, Baitarani, and Kathajodi rivers, the state shone under the soft light of countless miniature boats, reaffirming the people’s pride in their cultural roots.
As dawn broke across Odisha, the sight of thousands of flickering lamps floating on rivers symbolised both devotion and pride — devotion to tradition and pride in a legacy that connects Odisha’s past to its future.
From the sacred chants at riverbanks to the glittering boats on the water, the Boita Bandana celebrations once again reminded Odias of their deep-rooted connection with the sea — a connection that continues to inspire progress, resilience, and unity.
Nationwide Greetings and Recognition
On this auspicious occasion, President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartfelt wishes to the people of Odisha and devotees across the nation. In her message, she emphasised the historical and cultural significance of Boita Bandana and Bali Yatra, describing them as “living celebrations of Odisha’s ancient maritime excellence and its enduring contribution to global trade and cultural exchange.”
ऐतिहासिक 'बालीयात्रा' उत्सव तथा 'बोइत बंदाण' के शुभ अवसर पर देशवासियों विशेषकर ओडिशावासियों को मैं हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं देती हूं। बालीयात्रा ओडिशा की गौरवशाली समुद्री वाणिज्यिक परंपरा एवं सांस्कृतिक धरोहर की प्रतीक है। मुझे विश्वास है कि अपने गौरवशाली अतीत को याद करते हुए हम सब…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 5, 2025
She stated, “These festivals remind us of the valor, enterprise, and adventurous spirit of the Sadhabas of Kalinga, whose voyages helped establish India’s cultural and economic links with Southeast Asia. They are not just traditions but a reflection of our maritime identity.”
The Bali Yatra, which begins soon after Kartik Purnima, is one of Asia’s largest open-air trade and cultural fairs, held annually in Cuttack to commemorate those ancient voyages.
CM Majhi Attends Bandana Utsav 2025 at Paradeep
On Wednesday, in Paradip, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the Boita Bandana Utsav 2025, reaffirming Odisha’s commitment to reviving its maritime heritage while promoting port-led industrial growth. Addressing a large gathering at the Paradip Port premises, the Chief Minister stated that Boita Bandana and Bali Yatra are not merely festivals but “symbols of Odisha’s proud maritime identity and the indomitable spirit of the Sadhabas.”
He noted that Odisha’s maritime history continues to inspire innovation, courage, and enterprise among its people. Highlighting the growing importance of Paradip Port in the state’s economic transformation, Majhi described it as “the gateway to modern Odisha and the Konark of the state’s economy.”
Announcing a series of landmark maritime initiatives, Majhi revealed that the state government, in collaboration with the Paradip Port Authority and the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, has envisioned massive investments worth ₹46,000 crore to strengthen Odisha’s maritime infrastructure.
