Puri, Nov 5: Devotees in large numbers gathered at Puri’s Narendra Pokhari today to celebrate the traditional Boita Bandana in honor of Kartik Purnima.

The sacred occasion drew a huge turnout of participants, who offered prayers and floated miniature boats, continuing a centuries-old ritual that symbolizes Odisha’s rich maritime legacy.

The Boita Bandana festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm across Odisha, holds immense historical and cultural importance. On this day, devotees gather near rivers, ponds, and seashores to set afloat miniature boats made from banana stems, paper, and thermocol. This age-old practice is a tribute to Odisha’s ancient maritime trade routes with Southeast Asia, including countries like Java, Sumatra, and Bali.

The festival paints a vibrant scene as devotees chant prayers and launch illuminated boats onto the water, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. The event serves not only as a religious observance but also as a homage to Odisha’s maritime past and its tradition of seafaring merchants, known as the ‘Sadhabas’.

Kartik Purnima, observed on the full moon day of the Kartik month, is one of the holiest days in the Hindu calendar.