Cuttack, Nov 3: As the sacred month of Kartika reaches its peak, preparations for the grand festival of Kartika Purnima are in full swing. While markets across the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar are bustling with vibrant displays of traditional miniature boats, the banks of rivers and ponds are set to resonate with devotional chants. Eco-friendly miniature boats designed with sustainability at their core. These handcrafted boats, made from natural materials like cow dung, black gram, moong, and horse gram, are gaining popularity across local markets for their biodegradable properties and cultural significance.

Artisans say the boats can float for over three hours and dissolve harmlessly in water, even serving as food for aquatic life. With prices ranging from ₹30 to ₹40, these eco-conscious alternatives are being welcomed by both devotees and environmentalists as a meaningful shift from plastic and thermocol models. In a time when climate change and industrialisation threaten biodiversity, these miniature boats send a powerful message of sustainability.

Meanwhile, the Panchaka Brata rituals have begun. This year, the observance will span four days instead of five. On the first day, Bada Ekadashi, the deity is adorned in the Lakshmi-Narayana Besha, drawing large crowds to the Grand Road in Puri. Special arrangements have been made for elderly devotees and women observing the Habishyanna Brata.

 
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Today, thousands of devotees gathered at the Dhabaleswar Temple in Odisha’s Cuttack district to celebrate the sacred festival of Bada Osha with deep devotion and grandeur. At Lord Dhabaleswara Temple in Cuttack, rituals begin at 4 AM with the ceremonial opening of the sanctum, followed by a holy bath using 108 pitchers of sacred water and the Mangala Alati. Offerings like Gaja Bhoga and Tarana were made, drawing long queues of devotees eager to witness the deity’s divine form.