Silvery Moonlight

Under the full moon's radiance,

Walking on the street in full sense,

I feel the cool breeze caress me,

My mind experiences ecstasy.

Silvery Moonlight (1836-1893)- John Atkinson Grimshaw

Captured!

He appeared & again stole my heart,
My eyes were set on him from the start!
That dark night was no longer dark!
Flashes of light & captivating spark!

Tough to decide- what's more bright?
Lit skies & hues or love that seems right?
Or the warm glorious glow in heart/eyes?
Mind gets lost; bliss does have its price.

Oh My Diwali!

They blamed me and said things are not fine.
Just because I was dark, the night was dark too.
I thought - can't they see the extra stars shine?
To brighten up the night, don't they have any clue?

Waxing & waning is my nature; always been so!
Why so many people are complaining tonight?
What's so special that they want me to glow?
Why this demand to view my form that's bright?

Source

Kumar Purnima – A Popular Festival of Odisha

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!

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IndiSpire#88- Share any special fact or info about your native place or any place that you have loved.