Karnataka - Mysore   

Odias in Mysore celebrate Boita Bandana

Traditional: Odias in Mysore celebrating Boita Bandana.

MYSORE: The ancient mariners’ tradition of worshipping the sea as practised by voyagers of yore from Kalinga, unfolded at Srirangapatna on the banks of the Cauvery as the Orissa Association of Mysore celebrated Boita Bandana (worship of boats) on Sunday.

History is a pointer to the adventure of marine traders and merchants of Odissa used to go on a voyage to countries such as Burma, Siam, Ceylon, and China, while Kalinga maintained a stable and lasting commercial and cultural relationship with countries such as Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Bali Islands known as Suvarnadwipa or the modern Indonesia.

Although the maritime trade has become extinct, the memories are still preserved in the Oriyan tradition, according to Dilip Kumar Misra, president of OAM. He said the brave Sadhabas (merchants) of Odissa were no longer going on voyages for trading and bringing wealth back home. “But we Odias celebrate Boita Bandana every year on the day of Karthik Poornima to remember the past glories. Those real events of braveness and courage have now turned into folklore.” During the months of Ashada and Kartika (October–November), the wind direction used to be favourable for voyages. There were several ancient ports in Orissa such as Tamralipti, Palur, Chelitalo, Chilka, Kakatpur, Balipatna, and Birudipatna, which served as docks for Oriya Boitas as well as foreign vessels. Mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of the Sadhabas used to come to the sailing points in the rivers or sea to give hearty send offs with prayers for the happy and safe return of their loved ones with wealth and jewels. Even religion preachers from Odissa took the sea routes to other countries for spreading Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Mr. Misra said though no more maritime trading, the traditions and customs of Boita Bandana on the day of Karthik Poornima would be observed every year with merriment and joy.

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