3-day break in Odisha assembly session

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The ongoing winter session of Odisha assembly is observing a three-day break since Wednesday because of various festivals.

The winter session, which commenced on November 16, had a holiday on Wednesday for Milad-un-Nabi, the birthday of Prophet Mohammad, assembly sources said.

The state would also celebrate Kartik Purnima or Rasa Purnima on Friday, the full moon day of the auspicious Hindu month of Kartik.

In between the two major festivals, Thursday has also been declared a holiday, the sources said.

At daybreak on Kartik Purnima, people across coastal Odisha visit water bodies to set afloat toy boats with lamps, betel leaves, crackers fruits and coins.

On Friday, people would also celebrate Boito Bandana or Boat Festival in the form of a mass commemoration of the maritime glory of the people of Odisha.

The festival also marks the end of a month-long abstinence from non-vegetarian food for most Odias and the beginning of the famous Bali Jatra on the banks of river Mahanadi in Cuttack.

The winter session of the assembly is slated to conclude on December 15.