Hi Friends,
This blog speaks about the festivals related to Lord Kartika(Kartik/Karthik) in Odisha:
Kartika/Kumara is known as the most handsome among the Gods and the warrior God. Two festivals in Odisha are linked to his name.
In Odisha, unmarried girls celebrate Kumara Purnima to get a suitable groom(Kumara).
And Kartika Purnima is celebrated for the maritime history of Odisha.
Kumara Purnima:
1) ଲିଆ (Liaa-A food item from Paddy) containing the paddy husk, is put on କୁଲା (Kulaa-Winnowing fan)
2) Then girls offer palmful of the ଲିଆ (Liaa), ଜହ୍ନି ଫୁଲ (Jahni phula - ridge gourd flower), କାକୁଡି ଫୁଲ (Kaakudi phula - Cucumber flower), ଗୁଆ (Gua- betel nut) to Sun God and it is known as "ଆଞ୍ଜୁଳି ଟେକା (AanjuLi TekA)"
3) A loka geeta is sung by the people:
ଜହ୍ନିଫୁଲ ଠୋ ଠା କାକୁଡିଫୁଲ ଠୋ ଠା,
ଗୁଣ୍ତୁଚିମୂଷା କହିଯାଇଛି ଚାଉଳମୁଠେ ରଖିଥା।
4) The games like "Puchi Khela", "Bisa-Amruta Khela" etc are performed during Kumara Purnima
5) In the evening, the girls offer "Chaanda" to Moon God. Chaanda or "Chaanda ChakaTa" is paste made from Liaa, Sugar, Banana, TaalaSaja(Fresh Palm fruit), Coconut etc
6) A loka geeta is sung by the people:
କୁଆଁର ପୁନେଇ ଜହ୍ନ ଗୋ... ଫୁଲ ବଉଳବେଣୀ,
କୁଆଁରୀ ମାନଙ୍କ ଅପୂର୍ବ କାହାଣୀ, ପୁଚି ଖେଳିବାକୁ ମନ ଗୋ... ଫୁଲ ବଉଳବେଣୀ...
Kumara Purnima marks the end of ଆଶ୍ଵିନ ମାସ (Aswina Maasa/Month).
From the next day, କାର୍ତ୍ତିକ ମାସ (Kartika Maasa/Month) starts.
On the last day of Kartika Maasa, there is Kartika Purnima.
Kartika Purnima:
1) The month of Kartika is considered as the most sacred among the 12 months.
2) During this month, people refrain from taking non-veg food. Again... it is individual choice (not forced)
3) In the whole month, "ଝୋଟି (Jhoti), ମୁରୁଜ (Muruja)" paintings are made on the ground in the house
premises near " ଚଉରା (Chauraa - The small temple like elevation with a Tulasi plant in it)"
4) The last 5 days are called as "ପଞ୍ଚୁକ (Panchuka)" and the last day is "Kartika Purnima"
5) It is for celebrating the Maritime history of Odisha. Probably in India, the celebration of voyage
is only celebrated in Odisha. [Outside India, a similar festival is celebrated in Thailand
as "Loi Krathong". Please refer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loi_Krathong . You can find the
similarity between the two words Krathong and Kartika]
6) On this day, we perform "Boita BandaaNa" ritual. Boita BandaaNa means "Boat Worship" to remember the our history when the Sadhabas used to travel to Indonesian countries like Java, Sumatra, Maladwipa, Bali etc.
similarity between the two words Krathong and Kartika]
7) The toy boats are made of "KadaLi PATukA"(Plantain trunk) or thermocol
8) Then "Paana"(Betel leaf), Gua(Betel Nut) and "Dipa"(Lamp) is placed over it
9) And the small boat is floated in water with a Loka Gita (Folk Song):
ଆ କା ମା ବୈ,
ପାନ ଗୁଆ ଥୋଇ.
ପାନ ଗୁଆ ତୋ'ର,
ମାସକ ଧରମ ମୋ'ର.
"Aa Kaa Maa Bai, Paana Gua Thoi, Paana Gua Tora Maasaka Dharama Mora"
Here "Aa" stands for "Aasadha" month, "Kaa" for "Kartika" month, "Maa" for "Margasira"
month, "Bai" for "Baisakha" month when the sea voyages used to happen.
10) On this day in Cuttack, a festival starts, called "BaliJatra (Voyage to Bali Island)"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali_Jatra
Check these hashtags #BaliJatra #BoitaBandana #Kalinga in twitter.
10) On this day in Cuttack, a festival starts, called "BaliJatra (Voyage to Bali Island)"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bali_Jatra
Check these hashtags #BaliJatra #BoitaBandana #Kalinga in twitter.
Note:
1) Kalidas reffered the king of Kalinga as "Mahodadhipati" (Lord of the sea)
2) A text in Mahayana Buddhism mentions "Kalingaodresu" (Islands in the Kalinga sea)
Beliefs:
We have the belief that Kumara is a bachelor God who holds "ଭାଲୀ (Bhaali)"(The weapon in his hand) and who has "ଦେବସେନା (Debasena - God's army)". So it means that Kartika is also a warrior God like Maa Kaali.
But in Tamilnadu, their 1st God is Karthik(Murugan) and they believe Karthik as married to two wives named as "ୱଲୀ (Vali)" and "ଦେୱୟାନୀ (Devyani)".
Whatever might be the difference in beliefs, one thing is common that Kartika/Murugan is the warrior God who saves people from enemies and helps in the voyage/journey.
Department of Archaeological Survey of India has found 3 images of Kartika(Shanmukha/Shanmukham/Aarumugam - 6 face statue) from Odisha, Karnataka and Haryana. Now think, this concept of Kartika/Kartik/Karthik was allover India in ancient times.
Then why do we celebrate only two times in a year (Kartika Purnima and Kumara Purnima)!!! The reason might be obscure.
Still... despite of ups and downs, Odisha saved its culture through her festivals.
Cheers
Ashish
