How people celebrate boat festival in Odisha on Kartik Purnima

Every year on Kartik Purnima, a number of people in Odisha take part in the yearly ritual of Boita Bandana, a boat festival, and set afloat a number of miniature boats to mark the day. The festival commemorates the maritime glory of the state.

Kartik Purnima is also known as the Boita Bandana or Boat festival in the state of Odisha. Men, women, and children celebrate the festival by setting afloat miniature boats to mark the occasion. It is a tradition that has been followed for many years.

Early in the morning, on Kartik Purnima, people make their way to different water bodies to set afloat boats which are traditionally made up of banana stems and banyan leaves. In urban areas, it's made of paper.


The boats are floated with lighted lamps, betel leaves, flowers, milk, cracker fruits, and coins to mark a thousand years old boat festival.

It is believed that our ancestors used to take boats to Indonesia to bring items for the state. Along with it people also perform religious rituals to take a holy dip.

The last five days of the auspicious month of Kartika are called Panchuka of which the last day is known as Kartik Purnima. It is considered a significant day to celebrate the maritime glory of Odisha.

Many devotees also believe that tradition is meant to offer prayers to their ancestors and seek their blessings.