Bhubaneswar, Oct 6: A shift in the lunar calendar has caused confusion regarding the observance of Kumar Purnima and Gajalaxmi Puja, which are traditionally celebrated on the same day across Odisha. This year, however, the dates for the two festivals do not align as expected.

While Gajalaxmi Puja will take place on Monday, Kumar Purnima is scheduled for Tuesday. This discrepancy has left many, particularly young girls who observe the Kumar Purnima rituals, unsure about the correct day to celebrate the occasion.

Almanacs have contributed to the confusion by listing Monday as the day for Kumar Purnima, but the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri has scheduled the observance for Tuesday. This has further fueled uncertainty among people in the state.

Kumar Purnima is a significant occasion for unmarried girls in Odisha, who traditionally pray for a husband like Lord Kartikeya. They wear new clothes, enjoy moon-shaped sweets made from cottage cheese in secret, and perform the rituals associated with the festival. Gajalaxmi Puja is also observed alongside Kumar Purnima.

According to almanacs and traditions, the Kumar Purnima tithi begins on Monday afternoon and ends on Tuesday morning at around 9:27 AM. While the puja will be observed at Puri Jagannath Temple on Tuesday, many girls across the state are planning to perform the rituals on Monday, leading to further confusion.

The situation has been compounded by the Odisha government's declaration of October 7(Tuesday) as the holiday for Kumar Purnima Puja. The state government issues its holiday list based on the English calendar, which is prepared at the beginning of the year, while Odia almanacs, which follow the lunar calendar, are released on April 14. This difference in calendars has only added to the uncertainty surrounding the celebrations.