Puri: Celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Ashwina, Kumar Purnima is one of the most significant festivals in Odisha. The festival is celebrated in a unique way in Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri amid a special ritual.
Though gambling illegal it is a tradition in the 12th century shrine and none other than Lord Jagannath and his consort Devi Mahalaxmi participate in a ceremonial dice game, also known as ‘Kauri Khela’ on the occasion of Kumar Purnima and Gajalaxmi Puja.
As part of the ritual in the temple, servitors escort Devi Mahalaxmi to the sanctum sanctorum of the shrine where the game is played atop the Ratna Simhasana. The servitors then play the game using ‘Kauri’ (small conch cells) on behalf of the Lord Jagannath and Mahalaxmi.
In the final game, Lord Jagannath concedes defeat and the servitors of Mahalaxmi imprison the representing image of Lord Jagannath – Neela Madhav and escort him to the Mahalaxmi Temple for a week.
During the week-long punishment, the Lord remains tied to the throne of Mahalaxmi.
Following the tradition, devotees and the residents also indulge in gambling all through the night as they believe that it would bring them wealth and prosperity.
Special arrangements have been made by the Puri temple administration to observe Laxmi Puja.
Meanwhile, lakhs of devotees flocked to the pilgrim town to observe the month-long Kartika Brata, beginning on Friday.