Wish for a handsome husband

Bhubaneswar, Oct 7 (UNI) They looked too innocent to perceive all the ritualistic hoopla surrounding them, but were seemingly amused with the attire and make up of a bride and groom. As firecrackers spread decibels, the two eight-year-old girls - Boby and Debasmita -tied the knot.

It was a mock marriage to celebrate '' Kumar Purnima.'' The venue was Sampur - a village close to the capital.

All over Orissa the festival is celebrated specially by the girls in the belief that it would make their marital life happy and peaceful. But mock marriages are not routine part of the festival.

Some villagers organise them for fun and as an alibi to host community dinners.

''We are happy and loved all the attention and the gifts'', said Boby the bride and Debasmita the groom. Village elders say mock marriage like the one being performed formed part of tradition to celebrate Kumar Purnima - a major autumn festival.

Accordig to Hindu mythology, Kumar or Kartikeya, the son of the Hindu God of destruction, Shiva, was born on this day. He was very handsome. As young girls always wish for a handsome husband, they worship the Sun and Moon for a husband like Kumar on this day.

In Orissa town like Dhenkanal and Kendrapara the Kumar Purnima coincides with Maa Laxmi Puja - marking weeklong celebrations.

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