Kumar Purnima celebrated across state with fervour

Bhubaneswar: The state celebrated Kumar Purnima with religious fervour on Wednesday when girls worship the Moon god and goddess Laxmi. Attractive mandaps were set up in Bhubaneswar and other towns like Dhenkanal, Kendrapada and Chaudwar for Laxmi Puja.

On this day, unmarried girls observe fast and pray to the moon god and goddess Laxmi. They wear new clothes, usually in shades of yellow or orange, and adorn themselves with jewellery and flowers. In the evening, they gather and perform the puja rituals, offering flowers, sweets and fruits to the deities.

Wide range of special delicacies, including cakes (traditional Odia pithas), are prepared and distributed among friends and relatives on the occasion. “We wait for a year for the festival as we did lots of shopping and dressed up for the evening rituals,” Priyanka Swain, a school student, said. Girls also play traditional games in front of basil plant in courtyards which are beautifully decorated with flowers, lights and colourful rangolis.

As many as 50 community pujas set up pandals and organised Laxmi Puja while various cultural organisations have decided to come up with a series of cultural programmes. Bapuji Nagar Youth Organisation, one of the oldest Laxmi Puja committees, has made an attractive pandal. Besides, mandaps at Nicco Park, Saheed Nagar, Kharvela Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Sachivalay Marg in the city are under CCTV surveillance.

The famous Gaja Laxmi Puja was celebrated at Dhenkanal city where it would continue for the next 11 days. In Kendrapada town, where thousands of devotees throng puja pandals to witness the decorations and lighting, celebrations will continue for a week. The respective district administrations and police have made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of Laxmi puja in the towns.

The festival is not limited to just young girls; it is celebrated by people of all ages across Odisha. It is a time for the community to come together and celebrate the blessings of the divine. The festive atmosphere is evident in the decorated streets, the sound of devotional music, and the smiles on people's faces. Many organizations and individuals use this occasion to raise awareness about issues like girl child education, women's empowerment, and gender equality.

We also published the following articles recently

Laxmi puja celebrated with gusto In Lucknow, the Bengali community celebrated Laxmi puja on Sharad Purnima with rituals and bhog offerings at several local temples and clubs. Devotees prepared elaborate feasts and decorated idols of Goddess Laxmi, believing she brings happiness, wealth, and peace. Notable celebrations were held at Kalibari temple, Cantonment Puja and Sewa Samiti, Bengali Club, and Ram Krishna Math.

Kojagiri Purnima 2024: Date, Time, Rituals and Significance of Kojagari Laxmi Puja Kojagiri Purnima, observed on October 16, 2024, is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. Celebrated mainly in Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, and Odisha, devotees fast and perform rituals to seek her blessings. Key activities include chanting mantras, offering seasonal fruits and sweets, and staying awake all night in devotion.

Min Laxmi Hebbalkar offers bagina to Malaprabha, performs Ganga puja Women's and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar conducted rituals at the Naviluteertha dam and inaugurated a guest house. She announced plans to develop the area around the reservoir, which serves four districts, similarly to the Krishnaraja Sagara model. Despite previous water scarcity, recent rains have filled the reservoir, securing drinking and agricultural water supplies.