Kumar Purnima in Odishan Culture

Odisha Review October - 2015

Dr. Prafulla Chandra Mohanty

The people of Odisha in their day to day life Koumudi Utsava as described in Kamsastra. The observe with austerity a number of Bratas, Oshas Sastra also describes that the full moon stays on and Pujas throughout the year. Kumar Purnima is this day in the sixteen Kalas on different points of one among them. It falls on the full moon day of the female body making them differently sensitive. Aswina in the month of October mostly fifth day The sixteen kalas are Pusha, Yasha, Sumanasha, after Dussehra Puja. This is the festival observed Rati, Prapti, Dhruti, Rudhi, Soumya, Mariachi, by the woman folk of Ganjam in worshipping the Ansumalini, Angira, Sashimi, Chhaya, Sampurna full moon at rising. Aswina Purnima is the time Mandala, Tusti and Aarata. comes after completion of agricultural works in Autumn being the symbol of cleanliness the crops fields and the farmers are to worship and decency, the scenic beauty of the nature looks Goddess Durga and Laxmi for better production. this time very beautiful. It is green, the night The adolescents (Kumars and Kumaris) celebrate experiences brightest moonlight of the entire year. the full day and night in full joy and happiness. The eve is auspicious. The girls end their month The girls dress themselves in new cotton or silk long µJanhi Osha¶ in the street of the villages. Janhi, dresses and enjoy the festivity by singing song, a vegetable is to be worshipped with the flowers dancing and playing different rural but traditional of Janhi. µJanhiphool¶ looks very bright like moon games. In the evening, they assemble at the and blossoms towards the evening only. The folk Pujasthali (spot of worship) near the Tulasichaunra song on Janhi Osha, goes as: Jahniphoolo lo Pujili to worship. They worship the moon with offering tote ke Bara maguchhi debuti Mote««««¶ of µKakara Pitha¶ (a type of special rounded cake Along with Janhi Osha, the woman folk dressed looks like moon). with new dresses play with seeds of Poi-chardia, Lia (Khai out of Paddy) mixed with cowries/ On the Kumar Purnima day, the parents Koudis in the streets of villages (Gaon Danda) in send good wishes along with a µBhara¶ (new the moonlit night with full joy and happiness. While dresses & Sarees etc.) to their married daughter playing they throw palm full of Khai-cowries and and Son-in-laws to mark the occasion. The festival Poi-chardia in the Gaon Danda and at the end is also known as Kumar Utsav. In the Hindu they collect the same from the netting streets and Sastras, Kumar represents the Lord Karttika, who count the cowries. The maximum collector of the looks very handsome. Accordingly, it is said that cowries in this way will win the game. Many of the Kumaris (adolescent girls) observe this the players/competitors are at the point of laughter Chandra Puja in austerity for wellbeing of their as they can¶t distinguish the Poi-chardias and brother and also to get a very handsome husband cowries which are almost similar to look at. This like the eldest son of Shiva, the Karttika. The other competition builds faith among the village girls for name of this full moon festival is also known as their wellbeing and success in future life.

45 October - 2015 Odisha Review

Kumar Purnima gives a superb moon, and sleepless, the worshippers and the village girls so the women of Ganjam worship the moon in engage themselves in different rural plays like the night and call it µChandra Puja¶ or µJanha Puja¶ Khapara Dian, Daudi Dian, Thia and Basa Puchhi, with typical Odia cake named µKakara¶ prepared Cowries Khela, Pasa Pali, Ganjapa Playing out of flour of rice and gura (a byproduct of Cards, Conch blowing competition and dancing. Sugar). They also pass the time in drawing Jhoti, Chita, Worshipping Chandra (moon) with Painting. The different images, pictures etc. gives Kakara, Chandra Kanti, Bada (a cake looks like a separate and special identification to the a ball), Chudaghasa etc. is continuing from ancient inhabitants of Ganjam in the whole world. This days. The adolescent girls after offerings and Purnima is also pious day for offerings for worshipping, distribute these Kakara Bhoga to ancestors and Gods. As per the µPandit Sarbaswa¶ their friends in the name of Chanda (the colloquial a book on Hindutwa, which describes that on name of moon in Odia) and from the day, they Kumar Purnima tithi, it is highly appreciated to called each other as µChanda¶ instead of uttering give on gift Tambula (pana), coconut, cowrie and their specific names. It is believed that calling new Bastras (dresses) to others. Also depicts in µChanda¶ by name is a sin and disgraceful to the Shiva Purana that the Lord Karttikeya, the eldest friend. Our typical Kumar Purnima encourages son of Shiva took his birth on this full moon day. friendship and living with togetherness. The Linga So accordingly, the name of the day is Kumar Puran and Kalika Puran describe a lot on this Purnima. In Sarala Mahabharat the description Kumar Purnima. The person who passes sleepless of this festival is also there as it was observed by night by playing cowries has to get the boon to Lord Srikrishna at Dwarika, and that the then day fulfill his desires. cowries was an ancient coin of was a Sunday. this land and so represents wealth. The Goddess Odisha acclaimed as one of the great of wealth is Laxmi. Laxmi happens to be the sister heritage and cultured states of India and world, of Moon, is also worshipped on the day. Laxmi because of its numerous folk forms. Out of 64 came along with Chandra (moon), Aeirabat (the folks formats only Ganjam a coastal district is still elephant), Uccheishraba (the Horse), the Meghas having more than thirty folk traditiona. The (clouds)- the gods of rain, Parijaat the flower and acrobatics and yogasan of the folk, really make Amrita-nectar out of the sea when churned by the dance popular. Devatas and Demons and so observing the Kumar Punima we equally worship all gods and The villages are rich in rural women sports goddesses (Durga, Annapurna, Laxmi, Narayan and these sports are comprised of all components and Shiva) for wellbeing of the Universe. The of folk dances. These beautiful rural women mythology says the youth, who with sleepless sports and rituals which are vital for proper body night prayed goddess Laxmi by playing cowries postures of intricate dance forms are dying due are to be blessed with cowrie, the coins of wealth to lack of patronize. So Govt. should come and accordingly the other name of the day is forward to take some humble step to bring these µKojagar Purnima¶. seasonal, nature based rituals, traditional festivals which are under the verge of extinction to the As narrated in astrology, moon has limelight by creating a popular platform for them. twenty seven wives. They are none but the twenty seven Nakshatras. Aswini is the first wife of the moon and so Kumar Purnima falls on the full moon Prafulla Chandra Mohanty, Sanskruti Sadan, Bayali day of lunar month Aswina. To manage the night (Mantridi), Ganjam-761008.