Bali Yatra: Celebrating Odisha’s Rich Maritime Heritage
Odisha celebrates Bali Yatra, a festival honoring the state’s rich marine heritage. The ancient city of Cuttack hosts a week-long celebration that begins on Kartika Purnima, the full moon day in the month of Kartik, which falls between October and November.
Renowned for its illustrious maritime past, Odisha, the modern-day Kalinga Empire, saw the expansion of ports as early as the fourth and fifth centuries BC due to its geographic position.
Famous ports like Tamralipti, Manikpatna, Chelitalo, Palur, and Pithunda facilitated India’s maritime connections with other nations. The Kalingas quickly established trading ties with Java, Borneo, Sumatra, Bali, and Burma. Bali was one of the four islands that made up Suvarnadvipa, now known as Indonesia.
The Kalingas built big boats known as “Boitas” and used them to conduct commerce with the Indonesian islands. These vessels could accommodate up to 700 people and animals inside their copper hulls.
Interestingly, the Bay of Bengal was once referred to as the Kalinga Sea because of these ships. Kalidasa refers to the Kalinga King as “The Lord of the Sea” in his Raghuvamsa, highlighting the Kalingas’ supremacy over maritime channels.
The Cultural Exchange Between Kalinga and Bali
The Kalingas considered the island of Bali a major trading partner. Their trade led to an exchange of ideas and beliefs. Odia merchants who established communities in Bali significantly influenced its culture and ethics.
This interaction resulted in the spread of Hinduism throughout the area. Hinduism and Balinese ideas melded beautifully, and most people in Bali now practice “Balinese Hinduism.”
They honor several Hindu deities, including Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, and Ganesha. They revered Shiva as the supreme god and considered him Buddha’s older brother.
These influences led the Balinese people to observe Hindu holidays, including Saraswati Pooja, Durga Pooja, and Shivaratri. It’s interesting to note that Odisha’s Bali Yatra celebration and Bali’s “Masakapan ke Tukad” event are comparable. Both celebrations honor their maritime forefathers.
Meaning and celebration
The phrase “Bali Yatra” literally means “Voyage to Bali.” People celebrate the day that maritime traders sailed for the Indonesian islands annually on Kartika Purnima.
Odishans come together in great numbers to commemorate their rich maritime history during this event, dressed in vibrant clothing. They enjoy large fairs, complex rides, food, and dancing throughout the festival.
As part of the festivities, Indian women create “Boita Bandana,” which involves floating paper or banana leaf boats down the Mahanadi with lit candles inside. The Bali Yatra aims to honor the creativity and seamanship of the people who turned Kalinga into one of the greatest empires in history.
ALSO READ: Durga Puja | रहस्यमयी चमत्कार: दुर्गा पूजा का समारोह
