It is interesting about India that there are festivals 10 times the no of days in a year. Shockingly its 20 times in Orissa., A state in the east of India.
One of them which stayed due to its significance in the modern world and still celebrated by the people in coastal belt of Orissa is called BOITA BANDANA. To translate in English would be boat prayer. Yes its a prayer with a little boat which started way back in ancient days.
This Festival reminds the maritime glory of Orissa, when Sadhabas (sea traders) used to sail Boitas (Boats) to far off islands in the south and south east of Asia like Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo and Ceylon. The women used to give them hearty send off on this day. Now those days are history but the rituals have still survived among the people.
I remember celebrating this festival with my Mother. The shower before sunrise and loading the miniature boats with little portions of rice, fruits, cotton, betel nuts and oil lamps used to be great pleasure.
When I saw the venders selling those boats, I decided to do it again to cherish those days. It was a moment of nostalgia when I see so many mothers with their little ones.
All those experiences, so much of inheritance and centuries old rituals. So many stories to tell and traditions to share >>>>
This Festival reminds the maritime glory of Orissa, when Sadhabas (sea traders) used to sail Boitas (Boats) to far off islands in the south and south east of Asia like Sumatra, Java, Bali, Borneo and Ceylon. The women used to give them hearty send off on this day. Now those days are history but the rituals have still survived among the people.
I remember celebrating this festival with my Mother. The shower before sunrise and loading the miniature boats with little portions of rice, fruits, cotton, betel nuts and oil lamps used to be great pleasure.
When I saw the venders selling those boats, I decided to do it again to cherish those days. It was a moment of nostalgia when I see so many mothers with their little ones.
All those experiences, so much of inheritance and centuries old rituals. So many stories to tell and traditions to share >>>>
No comments:
Post a Comment