Kartika Purnima 2023 celebrated with firecrackers and miniature boats in Odisha

Kartika Purnima 2023 celebrated with firecrackers and miniature boats in Odisha

Devout and religious citizens of Bhubaneswar observed the Boita Bandana ritual consisting of floating miniature boats at the Bindusagar tank today on the occasion of Kartika Purnima. Following this they prayed at the Lingaraj Temple to mark the end of the holy month of Kartika. Elaborate arrangements were made at Bindusagar tank in Bhubaneswar for the people to float their boats. Similarly, thousands of people were seen at the Gadagadia Ghata where people thronged to float their miniature boats. Enthusiasm was seen among children for the festival. Bursts of firecrackers were also seen at many places.

The floating of miniature boats on Kartika Purnima is a ritual by which Odia people commemorate the glorious maritime history of Odisha, as it is on this day that sadhaba traders used to set sail for distant lands to carry out trade and commerce. This day also marks the beginning of the 8-day Bali Jatra festival in Cuttack.

The Boita Bandana celebrations were also held in Paradip, Gopalpur, Rourkela and other parts of the state. Even in villages and small towns people celebrated the festival in nearby water bodies. A large number of devotees visited Srimandir in Puri to witness the Rajarajeswara besha of the holy Trinity too.