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BHUBANESWAR: Orissa is popular for its religious festivities, and it is also known for its unique traditions of Oshas, Bratas and Melas. Kumar Purnima is one of the most popular festivals in the state. This year’s celebrations of this festival were held Thursday amid much fanfare and enthusiasm. The festival is celebrated on the full moon day after Dussehra and this is the day when unmarried girls observe fast for the whole day and worshiped the Moon to have a husband as handsome as Lord Kartikeya. Girls started puja early in the morning by offering prayers to the Sun and again in the evening to the Moon. A 23 year-old Subasini Sahu, who lives in GGP Colony here, said, “I want to have a good husband both in appearance and character. Therefore, today is a very important day to pray
god to enable me have my dream-husband. I offered prayers and flowers in the morning to god and prayed to Him to fulfill my wish.” Many girls spent time with their friends enjoying and playing traditional games like puchi. They sing and dance on a special song ‘Kuaanra Punei Jahna Go Phula Baula Beni’, specially meant for the occasion. With time, however, the ancient tradition did not make much impact on youngsters with a modern mindset. They say they don’t have enough time to observe the day or follow the rituals. “There was a time girls were waiting for the day to offer prayers for a husband of their liking, but these days, they don’t spend much time in doing rituals. They are busy with life in other ways,” said Suchitra Nayak, pursuing the nursing course in a college near Niladri Vihar. Apart from ‘Kumar Purnima’, the faithful also celebrated Laxmi Puja with great devotion.
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