A cultural programme takes place in Bhubaneswar on the occasion of Kumar Purnima. (Below) As per tradition, unmarried girls observe many rituals during the day to get a good husband. Telegraph pictures

Bhubaneswar, Oct. 22: The verses of a well-known folk song, Kumar punei janha go phula boula beni echoed throughout the city on Friday as many young unmarried girls worshipped the moon and sun to celebrate Kumar Purnima.

It’s a festival that falls on the full moon day of the Ashwin month.

As per tradition, young girls guided by older women in the house, wake up very early in the morning and wear new clothes. Then they pray to the Sun God and offer ‘anjuli’.

“We collect various flowers of plants of the gourd family such as cucumber and ridge gourd and offer it to the Sun God by cupping our hands for the ‘anjuli’ early in the morning while singing some hymns,” said Pranati Swain, a Class X student.

The girls also fast the whole day and eat only special country cakes prepared for the occasion.

In the evening, groups of girls gather around the tulasi (basil) plant and worship the Moon by following some specific rituals.

“We make various designs of chariots and symbols for the moon with petals of the water lily in front of the tulasi plant. We then prepare the ‘chaanda’, a type of prasad, and offer it to the Moon,” said Sunanda Samal, a college student.

The ‘chaanda’ is made of puffed rice, milk, cottage cheese and banana and is offered to the moon in shape of a crescent.

Girls also play folk games such as ‘puchi’, skipping, kabbadi and so on.

“The festival is observed by unmarried girls as a tradition to get a husband in future. They also pray to the Sun and Moon for the well-being of their brothers,” said Sasmita Das, a housewife.

As per mythology, the festival is observed to please Lord Kartik, the son of Lord Shiva, who is also known as Kumar.

“He is believed to be the most handsome among the Gods,” said Das.

“Along with my daughters, my 12-year-old son, too, puts on new clothes and participates in the festivities,” she added.

A number of cultural programmes were also conducted across the city on the occasion, mostly with young boys and girls as participants.