“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...

JAI KOSAL

"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.

Nuakhai Bangalore 2010 Celebrated With Great Flavour

On 26th Sept 2010, “Nuakhaibhet Cultural and Welfare Association” organized the 10th anniversary of “Nuakhaibhet” celebration in National Games Village, Bengaluru. This function is organised in consonance with “Nuakhai”, the harvest festival widely celebrated in KOSAL (western parts of Odisha). Non resident Kosali's residing in Bengaluru, has been organizing this function since last ten years.

Renowned cartoonist Dr. Aswini Kumar Rath from Balangir graced this function as Chief Guest. On this occasion “Nuakhaibhet Cultural and Welfare Association” also felicitated Aswini-Abani, the only cartoonist brother duo of the world. Internationally prize winning cartoons of Aswini-Abani were also exhibited during this occasion.

To commemorate the 10th anniversary year of the celebration a souvenir “Surta” was released

containing articles on the festivals, food, culture and also progress at Bengaluru. Prime Minister

Dr.Manmohan Singh and Smt. Sonia Gandhi expressed their wishes to the community through this magazine.

Chief convenor Mr.Abhimanyu Gadtia gave an overall perspective of “Nuakhai” as a function and

its importance in maintaining the cultural harmony. Sri Gopal Mishra, Sri …. (san barsa agyan) also addressed the gathering.

“Chitrasen Musical Group” from Titlagarh, Odisha, spellbound the audience with their sambalpuri musical performances with instruments like “Nissan”, “Tasa” and “Dhol”. Many local artists also added colours to the function with their folk songs and dances.

Apart from the cultural activities the most popular program was the Western Orissa quiz competition, which generated a lot of curosity amongst the present audience.

Also ladies Musical chair,Children Drawing competition and Nuakhai Talent Hunt was enjoyed by all and one.

Many intellectuals from Bengaluru and outside were present in the function which was attended by more than 500 people.

People also enjoyed the local cuisines of Kosal like Kardi bhendi Khata, Alu putal etc

NUAKHAI JUHAR KOSAL BASI !!!!

Galana kete bacchar hasi kheli kari....

Galana kete phul mahali gacche phuti kari !!!

Hele amar bhab thau sabu dine bhari...

E Nuakhai tihar asu anand ullas dhari....Maa Samlei tumar samku rakhi thau kule dhari !!!

NUAKHAI JUHAR BAD MANKU AAU SAN MANKE NUAKHAI RA BAHUT BAHUT BADHAI !

JAI MAA SAMLESWARI....JAI MAA PATNESWARI...JAI MAA MANIKESWARI.....JAI MAA SURESWARI....JAI MAA GHANTASINI....JAI MAA SEKHARBASINI...JAI MAA LANKESWARI....JAI MAA METAKANI.....JAI MAA KOSHALESWARI !!!!

JAI KOSAL .NUAKHAI JUHAR

Kosli traditional flavour to Phagun Puni (HOLI)

The much-awaited spring festival Dol Purnima or Holi, locally known as ‘Phagun Puni’ has special significance for the denizens of KOSAL (Present western Orissa). The inhabitants of the region celebrate the age-old festival in their own traditional ways.

The households of KOSAL perform ‘Gun'dikhia’ ritual on the day of Phagun Puni, the full moon day in the lunar month of Phalguna when new gram, green mango, Chaar berries, Mahua and Palash flowers are offered to Goddess Laxmi, the family deity. People start eating new gram and mango while rural dwellers begin collection of Mahua flowers only after performing the ‘Gun'dikhia’ ritual. During the celebration, various traditional dishes and pancakes, including Kakra and Khiri, are prepared.

The Gundikhia ritual is also performed in Samaleswari temple, the abode of Goddess Samaleswari, the presiding deity of Sambalpur and other temples across the region.
The festival is connected with destruction of the demon Holikasura or the she-demon Holika by making a bonfire, for which the festival is called Holi. The ‘Holi Puda’ Or Huili (bonfire) ritual is performed a day before the Dol Purnima by lighting fire on a heap of wood in the night.
In rural pockets, villagers organise yagna which culminates on Dol Purnima and the rural-dwellers carrying the images of Radha and Krishna in decorated Vimana (small wooden temple like structure) move across the village. The deities pay a visit to different localities adjoining the village and receive homage and offerings from devotees. This apart, people belonging to ‘Gouda’ caste whose traditional occupation is cattle rearing, worship cattle on the occasion.
The cattle are bathed, anointed with vermilion, garlanded and fed sumptuously. They also perform Badi Khela (dancing with sticks) during the festival after the ritual of Badi puja (worship of sticks).
Main article taken from :- Indian Express (Published on 1st March 2010)