Bhubaneswar, Oct 14: Odisha is set to celebrate Kumar Purnima on Wednesday ( October 16, 2024). This festival observed on the full moon day of Ashwina month, marks the end of Aswina months and the commencement of the holy Kartik month.
Kumar Purnima is one of Odisha’s most cherished festivals, especially celebrated by unmarried girls who observe fast in hope of getting a handsome husband.
The girls honor Kartikeya on this occasion.
Purnima will start at 8:41 pm on October 16 and end at 4:56 pm on October 17.
Traditional Rituals of Kumar Purnima
On the morning of Kumar Purnima, unmarried girls wake up before sunrise to bathe and wear new clothes. They gather seven types of fruits and flowers and offer 'anjuli' (handfuls of offerings) to the rising sun, performing this ritual seven times near the Brundabati (Tulsi plant).
When the full moon appears in the evening, the girls offer 'Chanda,' a special dish made from fried paddy, sweets, jaggery, bananas, coconut, sugarcane, cucumber, honey, ghee, ginger, and milk to the moon. This offering is later consumed as prasad.
The celebrations do not limit with the rituals only. Singing, dancing, and playing games such as "Puchi" are part of the evening festivities. A special folk song, "Kuanra Punei Janha Lo Phula Boula Beni Kumari Kania Saja Baja Hoi Puchi Kheli baku mana Lo Phula Baula Beni," is sung to mark the occasion.
Celebration of Maa Lakshmi's Birthday
Apart from the rituals for Kartikeya, Kumar Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Maa Lakshmi, adding further significance to this auspicious day. Families across Odisha participate in these joyous celebrations, praying for prosperity, happiness, and good fortune.
