In the villages of Odisha, the festive atmosphere of Khudurukuni Osha is in full swing today, the first Sunday of the month of Bhadraba. Young girls dressed in their traditional costumes are celebrating this unique festival in villages.
Festival Highlights
- Rituals Begin Early: Girls wake up early, collect flowers from around the village, bathe in rivers or pond, and perform Baluka Puja by making a temple on the ground, decorating it with flowers.
- Decorations and Worship: A toran made of flowers decorates the surroundings. In the evening girls worship Maa Mangala which involves reading the Khudurukuni Vrat Purana and offering bhog.
- Offerings to Mother Mangala: Incense, lamps, conch shells, hulhulis, lia, ukhuda, cucumber, khasa laddu, and many more fruits are offered. Khudabhaja is considered the most beloved offering.
- Legend of Taapoi: The festival originated from the story of seven saints and their sister Taapoi, who was tortured by her sister in laws, but freed by worshipping Khudurukuni.