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Kumar Purnima
 Location :
Dhenkanal, Orissa
Also Known As :
Gajalaxmi Puja
Falls On :
Aswina Purnima (September - October)
Deity :
Lord Kartikeya
Time For The Festivity
This festival is celebrated on the full moon day of the lunar month of Ashwina bring untold pleasure to the unmarried boys and girls. The worship of moon God is held at home as
Janha Mamu (Moon, the maternal uncle.) brings them various delicacies and new clothes.
In the early morning the girls after their purificatory bath wear new garments and make food-offerings to the Sun. They observe fasting for the day. In the evening when the moon rises they again make food offerings of a special variety and take it after the rituals are over.
It is a festival of rejoicing for the girls. All of them sing and dance. The songs are of special nature. They also play a kind of game known as 'Puchi'. They also indulge in other varieties of country-games
The Gajalaxmi Puja
This day is also observed as the birthday of Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth. Therefore, many citizens worship the Goddess at their homes and keep themselves awake by playing Pasha (Chess), and other indoor games.
Significantly it suggests that those who wish to obtain prosperity should always be watchful at night. It is for this reason the owl, a bird that sleeps in the day and comes out only at night.
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