Boita Bandana Utsav, also celebrated as Bali Yatra in coastal Orissa (Odisha), is observed on the full moon day in the month of Kartik as per traditional Oriya calendar. In 2024, Boita Bandana Utsav date is November 15. The main ritual on the day involves floating miniature boats in seas, ponds, lakes and rivers. Boita Bandana was originally performed by the wives of the sailors for their safe return during the medieval period.
People from Odisha used to travel through sea to Bali, Java, Sumatra and Borneo in their typical boats called Boita for trade. They used to start their sail during the Kartik Purnima period.
The Boita Bandana Utsav is known as Kalinga Bali Yatra in the coastal areas of Odisha and is a major festival here. As part of the festival, Hindu devotees sail fancy boats with earthen lamps, flowers, coins and other offerings.
The traditional annual Bali Yatra fair at Gadagadia Ghat on the banks of Mahanadi in Cuttack
Important rituals observed in the Kartik month like Kartik Brata and Panchuka comes to an end on the day.