Odisha today embraced a vibrant celebration as lakhs of devotees across the state converged on rivers, ponds and coastal shores to observe the festival of Boita Bandana on the occasion of Kartik Purnima.

The ritual-rich event commemorates the maritime legacy of ancient Kalinga, where Odia mariner-merchants (“Sadhabas”) sailed to far-flung lands in Southeast Asia.

From early morning, large crowds gathered at water bodies including the historic Bindusagar in Bhubaneswar’s Old Town and key river-front ghats in Cuttack such as Gadagadia Ghat on the Mahanadi and Debi Ghat on the Kathjodi. Many also assembled at the sea beach in Puri to participate in the ritual.

Participants fashioned miniature boats out of banana stems, paper, thermocol and other locally available materials, decorating them

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