November 19
Odisha Celebrates Kartika Purnima
People of Odisha celebrate ‘Kartika Purnima’ with Covid restrictions. As per the tradition, people after taking bath early in the morning, visited nearest rivers/ghats/ponds and were seen sailing miniature boats. Some of them, also took holy dip in rivers on the occasion of holy Kartika Purnima on Friday. People are seen visiting the Temples to offer their prayer on the sacred day, but there was no crowd like earlier years.
Read: Kartika Mahatmya
Several district administrations have imposed restrictions on gatherings at temples, rivers and other types of water bodies. Section 144 has also been imposed at some temples expecting large congregation of people.
Also Read: Panchuka begins in Odisha; Five Most Auspicious Days of Month ‘Kartika’
Celebration in twin-city is also not like earlier years. People gathered at different water bodies and temples to celebrate the most auspicious of the year, but are seen at least maintaining distance.
Despite restrictions, devotees were seen on the banks of Bindusagar lake, Kuakhai and Daya rivers for sailing boats.
As per the ritual, On the day of Kartik Purnima, the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, people of all age group go to nearby water bodies to set afloat toy decorated boats with lamps, betel leaves, crackers, fruits and coins. The festival is called Boita Bandana. The festival is a mass commemoration of the state’s glorious maritime history when its tradesmen and known as sadhabas traveled on boitas/boats to trade with distant island nations like Java, Sumatra and Bali.
