Boita Bandana observed: remnant of sea-faring past

Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of holy ‘Kartika Purnima’, ‘Boita Bandana Utsav’ was celebrated in full form across the State. Devotees, including children thronged at sea beach, major rivers like Mahanadi and Baitarani and ponds like Bindusagar. Bhubaneswar since early in the morning saw devotees sailing boats made of paper and banana stem laden with earthen lamps, betel leaf, betel nuts and flowers thereon. The ambience was buzzing with popular phrases like ‘Aa ka Ma Boi, Pana Gua Thoi, Pana Gua Tora, Masak Dharma Mora.’

As the month-long ‘habisha’ and five day long ‘panchuka’ ended Friday, devotees were seen in queues at different temples for darshan and prayers. In Puri devotees were seen queuing since early in the morning to have a darshan of Lord jagannath in Suna Besha (golden attire). A similar scene was static at Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar where people gathered in large number for darshan after floating their sails.

At the same time in remembrance of the ancient Odia sadhavapuas’ trade with countries across the waters, the historic Bali Jatra commenced Friday morning along the banks of the Mahanadi River in Cuttack and Paradip.