Odisha bans congregation at river ghats on Kartik Purnima
BHUBANESWAR: The state government on Tuesday banned congregation at river ghats and near other water bodies to take bath and sail miniature boats on the occasion of Kartik Purnima on November 30 in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Conduct of the famous Bali Yatra and all other congregations relating to Kartik Purnima and Bada Osha has also been prohibited throughout the state according to an order issued by chief secretary Asit Tripathy.
Any person found violating the order shall be punished under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and other relevant law, said the order.
On Kartik Purnima or the full moon day in the holy month of Kartik, people congregate at sea beaches, river ghats and near other water bodies early in the morning to sail miniature boats with lamps and crackers as the festival is known as “Boita Bandana”. The festival is celebrated to commemorate the rich maritime glory of the ancient Odisha.
The festival also marks beginning of the historic Bali Yatra festival on the banks of river Mahandi in Cuttack last for nine days though the district administration this year has already announced not to organize in view of the pandemic.