Boita Bandana

In olden days the ‘Sadhabas’ (Sea traders) used to sail off to distant islands like Java, Sumatra, Bali, Indonesia, Sinhala etc. for their trade by huge boats. Those boats are called as Boita The women of the community were giving them a hearty send-off on this day. The days are now gone, but the memory is still alive. Now, people used to float tiny boats made out of cork and coloured paper or bark of the banyan tree while reminiscing the past glory. This is called “Boita Bandana” (ବୋଇତ ବନ୍ଦାଣ).

Image Source: Lacknow Odia Samaj Website.

This Boita Bandana occasion is celebrating on the end of Karikaka Masa or the end of the Panchaka. Mainly the end of Kartika Masa is on the Kartika Purnima (କାର୍ତ୍ତିକ ମାସ). This ritual is celebrated in the early morning of Panchuka Purnima (ପଞ୍ଚକ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା) or Rahasa Purnima (ରାହାସ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା).

Now-a-days, there are different types of Boitas (Tiny Boats) are available in the market. But previously, people used to make these at home.

Different types of tiny boats (Boita) are now available in the market. This is available in the village markets. Some people Also used to carry these kinds of boats from places to sail.

In the early morning of Panchuka people gets ready and goes to the nears pond, river or sea and there worships the Boitas and float them on the water. People also do some Rangolis called as Muruja (ମୁରୁଜ) near to the Tulasi Chaura (ତୁଳସୀ ଚଉରା).