“AA KA MA BOI, PANA GUA THOI
PANA GUA TORA, MASAKA DHARAMA MORA”
Known to be the holiest month according
to Hindu calendar, Kartik Purnima is celebrated across the world irrespective
of religious inclinations. During this month all the pious Hindus refrain
themselves from eating fish, meat and egg. All of them take pre-dawn bath
and visit temples as a matter of routine habit.
The last five days known as
'Panchuka’ (a period consisting of five days) are considered more sacred, in
which there is wide participation of devotees. The last day being the
"Kartika Purnima". For all the five days the women draw beautiful
flower-designs Rangolis around the 'Chaura' (a small temple like structure with
a 'Tulsi' plant overhead) with colour powder.
Most of the Shiva temples get
crowded with devotees offering prayer to Lord Shiva who is said to have killed
the demon 'Tripurasura' on this day. Kartika Purnima celebrates the power of
Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva killed the demon Tripusara on this
day thus the day is also called known as Tripuri Purnima and Tripurari Purnima.
This Purnima is one of the most propitious days for worshipping of Shiva, next
only to the Maha Shivaratri. It is believed Puja, snan or Daan on Kartik
Purnima is equivalent to 100 Ashvamedha Yagyas. Good deeds on this day lead the
individual toward the way of salvation. Apart from these, such pious deeds
bring the devotee closer to supreme power to beget blessings of good health as
well as wealth.
Group singing of 'kirtans' and loud beating of 'Mrudanga' and
cymbals continue for the whole day.
The women
of the community were giving them a hearty see off by saying ‘Aa ka Ma Boi’
which symbolizes four Odia months i.e. Asadha, Kartika , Margashira and
Boisakha.
Though the days are now gone, but the memory is still alive.
People now float tiny boats made out of cork and coloured paper or bark of the
banyan tree decorated with incense sticks, earthen lamps, flowers, fruits and
coins remembering the past glory.
There are many reasons for Boita Bandana
being so special to Odia families. Since the state is situated by the sea and
we have a strong maritime culture, this event is an integral part of our
traditions. The day marks the end of the Sharad Ritu and the start of Hemant
Ritu. This day also marks the onset of winter in India.
Bali Yatra Festival in Odisha marks the culmination of all the
religious festivities held in the month of Karthik, which is considered the
most auspicious month of the 12 months in a calendar year. The historic Baliyatra has been an
inseparable part of the socio-cultural mileu of the millennium city of Cuttack.
To commemorate the ancient maritime glory of the past, this vast trade fair of
national repute is being organised every year in the shape of Baliyatra
Bali Yatra, which is said to be the largest fair of Odisha, begins on
Kartik Purnima and lasts for a period of seven days.
The festival is held in
the sands of river Mahanadi in Cuttack to mark the glorious past of the state
as in the ancient days.
Apart from all the food stalls in Bali Yatra, the most unique among all the foods are THUNKA POORIS....
which is a very large size poori served to customers only during Baliyatra. This unique delicacy is traditionally served with Chena tarkari ( Spiced Cheese balls curry) and Phulkobi tarkari (Cauliflower and Potato curry).This is an humble attempt on my part to make this king size Poori at home for dinner accompanied by Chena Tarkari and Phulkobi Kassa.
2 comments
Its an Awesome Post Alka..FeltSo nostalgic
ReplyDeleteThanks Soma
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