SOCIETY

Nevpada villagers perform mock marriages during Kumari Purnima

     Navpada village (Orissa): Navapada, about 20 kilometres from Bhubaneshwar in Orissa follows the old ritual of Kumari Purnima where young girls get married to each other. Kumari Purnima or, the festival for grooms, is held annually with the belief that it would bring good luck for the wedding of rest of the girls living in Navapada. In Navapada, fireworks and drumbeaters led the joyous marriage procession to eight-year-old bride Lipi's hutment. Her friend and classmate and another eight-year-old girl, Debasmita, was the groom. "Today is my wedding. I have been dressed as groom. I am very happy," Debasmita, the groom said. The villagers, who had a lavish feast after the ceremony, said they believed the wedding would bring good fortune for girls not only in their village but also in neighbouring villages. "We believe that this will augur well for all the girls in the village. This would be able to arrange for the early marriage of girls," said Ritanjali, a villager. The autumn festival of Kumari Purnima is one of the most popular and important festivals of Orissa. According to Hindu mythology, Kumar or Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva, was born on this day. And as young girls wish for a handsome husband, on this day, they worship the Sun and Moon for a husband like Kumar.
-Oct 19, 2005

Previous File