Bhubaneswar: Kumar Purnima, celebrated on the full moon day of Ashwina month, is one of the significant festivals in Odisha. At the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri, this auspicious festival is observed with a distinctive ritual, showcasing the dice game between Lord Jagannath and Goddess Lakhmi.
On the occasion of Kumar Purnima, thousands of devotees throng to the 12th-century shrine to witness the sacred game of dice (Pasa) between Lord Jagannath and Goddess Lakhmi. This ancient ritual, steeped in mythology, symbolizes the eternal bond between the divine couple.
Going by the ritual, Lord Jagannath is offered two agyanmalas during sandhya dhupa. After being offered bhoga, Madanmohan, the representing deity of Lord Jagannath, is brought to the Singhasan by Mahajan servitors from Dakhini Ghara.
Later, Pujapanda servitors offer agyanmala to Madanmohan and Sridevi. The idols of Madanmohan and Sridevi are seated in a palanquin kept near Satapahacha and are taken to the Jagamohana of Mahalakhmi Temple. They are made to sit on a cot there. Here comes the role of Mudirasta and Bhitarchha Mohapatra servitors. They play the traditional dice game on behalf of Lord Jagannath and Maa Lakhmi respectively.
After the game is over the place is cleaned and the deities are offered Shitala Bhoga. And Sridevi returns to Ratnasinghasan. However, Madanamohan will not return to Dakhini Ghara even after the game ends. After losing the dice game from the Goddess Lakhmi, Madanmohan will be held captive for seven days in the Goddess Lakhmi temple as per tradition.
