The Importance Of "Aa-Ka-Ma-Bai" In Odia Culture

It is commonly said that a boat floats on the morning of the full moon of odia November (Kartik Purnima), “A-ka-ma-bai,  pana gua thoi, Pana gua tora, masika dharama mora."

Many people associate it with the rich shipping business of ancient Utkal (Odisha) - ‘A-ka’ means Asadha and Karthika (odia months) and ‘Maa Bhai’ does not mean fear.  In the past, the saints of Utkal traded in the far ocean. It was a safe month to go and return to Karthika;  Because, at this point, there is no fear of sea storms. That is why when a boat floats on the full moon day of Kartika, it is called "a-ka-ma-bhai".

But ‘a-ka-ma-bhai’ is really ‘a-ka-ma-bai’.  This is the traditional four-month plan.  ‘A’ is Asadha, ‘Ka’ is Karthika, ‘Ma’ is Magha and ‘Bai’ is Baishakha. These four months are the holy month of Hinduism.  If you make a vow in these four months and give alms on the full moon at the end of the month, you will get the highest virtue.

In our religious tradition, there is a system of observance of the future in ‘ka-ma-bai’ i.e. karthika, magha and baishakha. These three months have also been marked by "greatness".  

This religious tradition of ‘a-ka-ma-bai’ is not just that we have in Odisha.  It is mentioned in the Matsya Purana (Holy scripture).  It is said that if you donate on the occasion of the equinox, you will get the holy fruits of these religious months.

Therefore, the symbolism of this folk song on the occasion of the Karthik full moon boat ritual connects us to our religious traditions.