The Kartik Purnima, the full moon day of the Hindu holy month of Kartik, considered to have been one of the most auspicious days in the Hindu calendar, was observed with great fanfare.
At the crack of dawn, men, women and children across coastal Odisha headed for the nearest water body to set afloat toy boats with lamps, betel leaves, crackers, fruits and coins.
Known as the Boita Bandan (boat festival), this is supposed to be a mass commemoration of the maritime glory of the people of Odisha, which was known as Kalinga in ancient times. But some believe the tradition is meant to offer prayers to the ancestors and seek their blessings.
The toy boat festival also marks the end of a month-long abstinence from non-vegetarian food for most Odia families and the beginning of the Baliyatra along the banks of the Mahanadi river in Cuttack.
The Kartik Purnima also marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Devji, the founder of Sikhism.