Mock weddings to celebrate Kumar Purnima

BHUBANESWAR: As a child, many of us must have had carried out dolls' weddings.
As years went by, those kids play gave way to more serious endeavours in life. But somehow the search for a perfect life partner lingered on, deep inside.
On Saturday, during Kumar Purnima, it all came to the fore as in villages across the state young girls dressed up as brides and bridegrooms and took part in mock weddings.
The entire marriage ceremony was conducted by unmarried young girls in which the whole village joined in the festivities.
"The marriage of unmarried young girls is being conducted in our village for the past several years. Every year it is becoming bigger and better. It is believed the ceremony would help girls get handsome and wealthy husbands and they would enjoy a happy married life," said Sabita Pradhan Rashmita, a 23-year-old girl who played the role of the groom's father in Jasuapur village, on the outskirts of the city.
All the rituals of an Odia wedding were carried out starting with the groom's arrival to the bride leaving for her in-laws place.
"It's too much fun as all participate with great enthusiasm. We girls do everything while elders guide us throughout the event. Through the event we also want to raise awareness on issues like child marriage, dowry, beti bacha beti padhao and domestic violence," said Babita Pradhan, a college student.
However, old-timers lament these events are slowly falling by the wayside as modern lifestyle takes a grip on youngsters.
"Things have changed with time so is the way with celebrations and festivals. We used to compose special songs for Kumar Purnima and there used to be competitions on poetry recitations, puchi khela, jhoti (rangoli on rice paste) and also card games. Now very few girls have an idea about these traditions and serious attempts should be made to preserve them," said Soudamini Rout, a septuagenarian.