Bhubaneswar, Oct 23: Religious observances, fasting rituals and festivals hold a special place in Odisha's cultural traditions. However, differences in calculations among various Odia calendars, or panchikas, have increasingly led to confusion among people over the dates and timings of important festivals.

Differences in tithi calculations, sunrise, sunset and moonrise timings have become a matter of concern, leaving devotees uncertain about when to observe rituals and perform religious ceremonies.

Durga Puja witnesses Ashtami-Navami confusion

This year's Durga Puja also witnessed confusion over the observance of Ashtami, Navami and Dashami. Due to differences in tithi calculations and their association with weekdays, some places observed Ashtami rituals on one day, while others followed them the next day.

The variation left devotees uncertain about the appropriate timing for puja rituals, homa and yajna.

Kumar Purnima & Gajalaxmi Puja dates under debate

A similar situation has now emerged over the observance of Kumar Purnima and Gajalaxmi Puja.

According to the calendar calculations cited in the report, Purnima tithi will begin at 11.48 am on October 25 and continue until 9.42 am on October 26.

The timing has raised questions about the traditional morning rituals performed by unmarried girls on Kumar Purnima, particularly the offering of anjuli. Devotees are seeking clarity on whether the rituals should be observed on October 25 or October 26.

Differences in the timing of morning worship and the duration of the tithi have also raised questions about religious observances in villages and cities, as well as the timing of rituals at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Call for uniform calendar calculations

The differences are attributed to variations between the calculations followed in the Shree Jagannath Temple's calendar and those used by other regional panchikas.

As a result, ordinary devotees, particularly women observing fasts and unmarried girls participating in traditional rituals, are facing difficulties in deciding which date and timing to follow.

Intellectuals have stressed the need for a coordinated and transparent system of calendar calculations to reduce confusion and ensure greater clarity regarding the observance of festivals across Odisha.