The 'Boita Bandana' festival, in which small boats are floated to recall ancient sea voyages, is celebrated in which state?

Boita Bandana is a festival of Odisha, celebrated in the early hours of the full moon day of the month of Kartika (Kartika Purnima, October-November). On this day, people float small boats (boitas) made of banana bark, paper, cork or coloured paper, with lighted lamps inside, in rivers, ponds and the sea. The festival recalls the glorious maritime history of ancient Odisha (Kalinga).

In ancient and medieval times, the merchants of Kalinga, called Sadhabas, sailed in large boats called boitas to distant lands such as Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Sri Lanka and Myanmar for trade. They traded goods such as cloth, spices, ivory and precious stones and helped spread Indian culture, religion and art to South-East Asia. The voyages began in the month of Kartika, when the north-east monsoon winds were favourable for sailing. The women of the merchants' families would perform rituals to wish their men a safe journey and a successful voyage. Boita Bandana keeps this memory alive. Women and children float the boats while singing "Aa ka ma bai, pana gua thoi, pana gua tora, masaka dharama mora", a traditional song recalling the voyages.

On the same day, Odisha also celebrates the Bali Jatra in Cuttack, on the banks of the Mahanadi river. It is one of the largest open-air trade fairs in Asia and lasts for about a week. The Kalinga region was also famous for its sea ports, such as Tamralipti, Palur and Manikpatna.

Kartika is regarded as a holy month in Odisha, and many people follow special fasts and bathe in rivers early in the morning during this month.

Why not the other options?

• ✗West Bengal celebrates Kartika Purnima with Rash Purnima and Jagaddhatri Puja.
• ✗Kerala is known for its snake boat races during Onam.
• ✗Gujarat celebrates the New Year (Bestu Varas) in Kartika.