SAMBALPUR: People of Western Odisha on Thursday celebrated the agrarian festival ‘Puspuni’ with pomp and gaiety across the region. ‘Puspuni’, known as the second most important agrarian festival of the region after Nuakhai, has special significance for the people of the region as majority of the population depend on agriculture. While Nuakhai is celebrated after flowering of paddy, ‘Puspuni’ is observed to celebrate the harvest of the crop.
It is celebrated on the day of ‘Pausa Purnima’ (full moon day in Odia month of Pausa) after harvesting of kharif paddy. The festival provides the much-needed break after the tiring agricultural work. It also marks the end of work contract between landowners and agricultural labourers and beginning of a new one. While it is associated with fun and merry making, there is no ritual or worshiping of deities during the festival. Emphasis is given on food, especially traditional and non-vegetarian, for its celebration.
This apart, children were seen moving from door-to-door singing the song ‘Chher Chhera’ and collecting food materials, including rice and vegetable or cash. The entire exercise is aimed at poking fun at the older women of a household, strengthening bond between the two generations and seeking blessings from them. However, the festival is celebrated a day later in Bargarh town to mark killing of demon King Kansa during Dhanu Yatra.