“PUSPUNI”- An important agricultural festival of Koshalanchal

Info abt Puspuni Provided by Susil Kumar Panigrahi of Dalaipara, Sambalpur.

PUSPUNI (Pousha Purnima), an annual festival based on agriculture is observed on fullmoon day of the month of Pousha. The festival is celebrated throughout Western Orissa, both by the rural and tribal folk.

In some areas, it is also called Pousha Parva or Pausha Punei. But the most popular name, specially in rural areas as “Chher-chhera”. The term chher-chhera has probably evolved by corruption of the word ‘char-char’ meaning a drum. Drum is an integrated part of the Pausha festival, as drum beating and dancing to the tune of beat is a must.

PUSPUNI is different from other agriculture festivals of this area. It is largely a communal jubilation related to the new harvest and celebrated through feasting and merrymaking. The festival is characterised by two important events for the farming community – the annual contract of land labouers comes to an end and payments by landowners and agreements on fresh contracts are finalised for the ensuing year.

Interesting and enjoyable scenes are enacted in the streets of villages. Jubilant boys and girls raise funds for ‘chher-chhera’ feasts from the families in the village, regaling them with their dance and music. In some villages, mock quarrels between angry old grand mothers and naughty children are organised. These events are entertaining and create a great deal of amusement and laughter among the audience.

Among the tribals too, it is a festival of merry-making. After harvest men and women enjoy the day by community dancing to the rhythm of drummers.

JAIKOSAL BLOG WISHES ALL THE PEOPLE OF KOSAL, A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS PUSPUNI...

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"Aamar Sanskruti Aamar Gaurav"

Today Is Bhai Juintia : Wishes To All Kosli Sisters

It is mostly known only in the region of Koshal. Bhaijiutia festival is celebrated on the Mahastami Day of Durga Puja. It is a total fasting undertaken by women for the whole day and night to seek Goddess Durga’s blessing for the long life of their bhais (brothers).

If Rakshya Bandhan is a day for sisters in north India, sisters in KOSAL (western Orissa) observe Bhai Juintia on the Astami day of the Durga Puja.

The sisters observe a total fast on this day wishing for long life and success of their brothers. In the evening, they visit the Juntia worship place and Durga deity. Their fast continues till next morning, on the Nabami.

Getting up early on the wee hours of Nabami, they take their bath and offer worship and while returning, collect Duba Chhuan, which they offer to their brothers.

In KOSAL (western Orissa), with the commencement of Durga Puja, every house is crowded with sisters and brothers, who arrive to observe the Bhai Juntia which is an annual occasion for a family get-together.

The main function, Juintia Puja is held in the evening, when sisters prepare Jugar, a typical item made from Lia, in the shape of a temple, with 108 duba grass, rice and many varieties of flowers, mostly locally grown.

This festival is observed with all its rituals, irrespective of caste and class.