Kumar Purnima — The Festival of Unmarried Girls
Kumar Purnima (କୁମାର ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା) is a unique Odia festival celebrated on the full moon night of the Hindu month of Ashwin (September-October). Young unmarried women worship the moon and Lord Kartikeya (Kumar), seeking blessings for a handsome and worthy husband.
The Legend
According to mythology:
- ✦Goddess Lakshmi had a son named Kartikeya (Kumar)
- ✦He was the most handsome god in heaven
- ✦Unmarried girls pray to receive a husband as handsome as Kumar
"Kumar Purnima is Odisha's beautiful celebration of youth, hope, and moonlit romance."
When It's Celebrated
Kumar Purnima falls on the first full moon after Durga Puja, usually in October. The festival is also called:
- ✦Sharad Purnima
- ✦Kojagari Purnima (in Bengal)
Rituals and Traditions
Morning Rituals
- ✦Early bath — Girls bathe before sunrise
- ✦New clothes — Wearing new dresses (traditionally white/light colors)
- ✦Fasting — Some girls fast until moonrise
Evening Worship
- ✦Moon worship — Prayers offered to the rising moon
- ✦Chanda Chakata — Traditional game with wooden boards
- ✦Puchi Khela — Playing with dice
- ✦Singing — Traditional Kumar Purnima songs
The Special Foods
- ✦Chuda — Flattened rice
- ✦Nadia — Fresh coconut
- ✦Khai — Puffed rice
- ✦Cheni — Sugar
- ✦Kela — Banana
- ✦Guda — Jaggery
These six items, called "Chuda Nadia", are mixed and eaten while watching the moon.
Puchi Khela (The Game)
Girls play Puchi — a traditional board game — throughout the night. It's believed that playing games under the moonlight brings good fortune in finding the right life partner.
Cultural Significance
Kumar Purnima represents:
- ✦Youth and hope — Celebrating the dreams of young women
- ✦Harvest gratitude — The full moon marks harvest time
- ✦Community bonding — Girls gather and celebrate together
- ✦Cultural preservation — Ancient traditions passed down generations
Modern Celebrations
Today, Kumar Purnima is celebrated with:
- ✦School and college programs
- ✦Cultural events
- ✦Family gatherings
- ✦Social media celebrations
Special in Puri
In Puri, Kumar Purnima coincides with the Lakshmi Puja at Jagannath Temple, making it especially auspicious.
Related: Raja Parba • Odia Culture