Bhubaneswar/Berhampur, Oct. 27: The celebration of the traditional festival of Kumar Purnima kept young girls busy across the state today.

The folk song, 'Kumar punei janha go phula boula beni' echoed, as unmarried girls invoked the Moon God with great devotion.

Early in the morning, the girls got ready wearing new clothes and offered prayers as well as floral tributes to the Sun God.

The evening prayers were also interesting where special country cakes prepared for the occasion were offered to the Moon God and a unique dish, the chaanda made of puffed rice, milk, cottage cheese and banana was offered to the Moon God. Girls gathered around tulasi plants in groups and collectively worshipped the moon, cupping their hands to throw flowers for anjuli.

"We create floral designs in the shape of chariots and symbols signifying the moon. Petals of water lily are used in making such patterns in front of the tulasi plant. We then prepare the chaanda, a prasad that we offer to the Moon God," said Sreeja Mohanty, a college student.

A number of cultural programmes were also conducted across the city on the occasion, mostly with young boys and girls as participants. Utkal Dance and Research Academy hosted its 13th annual Kumar Utsav showcasing Odissi vocal, instrumental and dance performances.

The two-day festival hosted on Sunday and Monday featured dancers such as Sharmila Biswas and Janavi Behera.

In Berhampur, it was a double treat for 25 girls who excelled in sports competition including 'khapara dian', 'daudi dian', and 'thia puchi' all of which are rural sports.

They danced to folk songs at a fest organised by Madhumaya Panigrahi Foundation.