Odisha, a state in Eastern India, has some unique festivals
like the Kumar Purnima (Kumara Purnima), being celebrated today, on the last day of the Ashwina month.
Kumara- means Youth and Purnima-
means full moon night.
Young
unmarried and newly-wed girls seek the Moon God’s blessings. These
days, young men also celebrate the same. Young girls rejoice, sing and dance and play a special kind of game known as Puchi. In the evening, they put Liya (an item like puffed rice/poha) along with cowrie-shells for the Moon God amidst 'hulu-huli' (sounds made/done during auspicious occasions).
My Mom insisted on seeing the Moon God first, as soon as He appeared in the sky on Kumar Purnima! The early birds get His blessings first! Girls offer food
to the Moon God and then have the same after completing the rituals.
The Kumar Purnima prasad is so yummy! This special dish/food- item is
prepared out of Liya, Bananas, cottage cheese
(called Chhena), grated Coconut,
Black Pepper, Honey/Jaggery/Sugar etc and this is offered to the full moon in
the evening. Many pithas (sweet-preparations)
are made at home. Floors of homes are decorated with jhoti (design patterns made from rice-paste).
The
full moon (Purnima) also marks
the beginning of the 11-day Gajalakshmi Puja that is celebrated across the state.
Today is the birthday of Gajalakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth.
The Kumar Purnima festival observes
the birthday of Shree Kartikeswara, the son of Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati.
It is believed that unmarried girls pray and get a handsome and ideal life-partner/husband
like Shree Kartikeya, if they observe the rituals!
Lord Kartikeya is one of the
most handsome Gods in our mythology.
‘Gaja’ means ‘Elephant’ in Odia.
People
worship Gajalakshmi in homes and play card games and dice games in the evening
till late-night, especially in Southern Odisha. Gambling is prevalent.
It is believed
that whoever doesn’t play card-games will be reborn as a monkey in her/his next
birth.
Beautifully
decorated Gajalakshmi Mandaps/Pandals are set up across the state. The festival is very
popular. You must plan to travel to Odisha during this time and see the wonderful Mandaps/Pandals.
I love this special festival that is celebrated in Odisha.
I am looking forward to playing some card-games today and having lots of yummy prasad on Kumar Purnima!
