Also
known as Boita-Bandana festival, Bali
yatra witnesses people gathering near
river banks or sea shores to float miniature
boats (boita) as a symbolic gesture
that
they will leave for faraway islands
of Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo and Ceylon
(Srilanka) to which their ancestors
once sailed.
Celebrated in October-November for five
consecutive days before the full moon
to memorize the maritime legacy of Orissa,
Bali yatra also marks the culmination
of all religious festivities held during
the month of Karthik.
