Odisha celebrates Kartika Purnima with religious zeal despite Covid rules
Kartika Purnima (Boita Bandana) is celebrated on the full moon of the Kartika month, with people from all across the state flocking to the nearest body of water to launch little banana, paper, or thermocol boats decorated with diyas, betel leaves, crackers, fruits, and cash. However, due to the ongoing Covid epidemic, the government has restricted the celebration this year as well.
The Religious Belief behind Kartik Purnima
On Kartik Purnima, people commemorate ancient Odisha’s nautical past with the practice of Boita Bandana, in which they float small boats with a lamp in bodies of water, but there is a religious meaning behind Kartik Purnima.
Devotees believe that Matsya, Lord Vishnu’s fish avatar, was born on Kartik Purnima. It is also the birthday of Vrinda, a personification of the sacred tulsi plant (holy basil), and Kartikeya, Lord Shiva’s son and the God of War.
