Kotpad,Oct 28 [UDN}: , 2026: Kumar Purnima, a traditional festival celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm, was observed with great pomp and ceremony across the Kotpad region of Koraput district in Odisha.
As part of the traditional observance, young unmarried girls, popularly associated with the Sadhaba Jhia tradition, observed the month-long rituals known as Janhi Osha. Throughout the month, they abstained from non-vegetarian food and offered prayers to Goddess Bhagabati every evening, seeking blessings and the fulfilment of their wishes.
On the occasion of Kumar Purnima, the girls offered newly sprouted paddy grains, which they had carefully preserved for approximately 11 to 15 days, to Goddess Maa Sheetala Thakurani, the presiding deity of Kotpad. Following the offering, they carried the sacred paddy sprouts to their respective places of worship and performed the traditional Kumar Purnima rituals.
The festival holds special significance for unmarried girls, who worship with the hope of finding suitable life partners and leading happy and prosperous lives. The observance reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage, religious faith and long-standing customs.
The celebrations were witnessed in various localities and neighbourhoods across Kotpad, where young girls participated in the traditional Janhi Osha rituals with devotion. Prayers were also offered to Maa Brundabati for the peace, prosperity and overall well-being of the Kotpad region.
The celebration once again highlighted the importance of preserving Odisha’s traditional festivals and passing on its cultural and religious practices to future generations.
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