Gajalaxmi Puja

The Gajalaxmi Puja is celebrated every year in the month of September October, corresponding to the Hindu Month of Ashwin. The festival is especially known for its significance to unmarried girls and boys. Gajalaxmi Puja also known as Kumar Puja is specifically popular in the state of Orissa.
The main Deities worshipped on this day are the Sun and the Moon. Unmarried girls take an early morning bath, followed by draping new clothes, ornaments and accessories.

In the day time they offer prayers and offerings to the Sun. After following these rituals, they prepare some delicious food-dishes. On an all, this day is extremely important for them and they enjoy in full swing.

Girls can be singing, dancing with traditional songs and colorful clothes. Finally in evening when girls worship the Lunar deity, they break their fast and consume food.

The festival of Gajalaxmi is also associated with the birth of Goddess Laxmi. Many devotees worship Goddess Laxmi in temples and at their homes.


Gajalaxmi Puja
There is a popular belief associated with the Festival that whoever keeps awake during night would seek wealth and prosperity. Devotees are seen keeping awake by playing cards and other engaging indoor games.

The state of Orissa is known for its grand celebration of Gajalaxmi puja. The festival is prominently celebrated in the Dhenkanal district in Orissa. The celebrations start from the full moon day (Purnima) and continues till 11 days.

Mythological Traces:
According to the mythology, “Kumar” or “Kartikeya” was an extremely handsome of Lord Shiva. He was born on the full moon day in the month of Ashwin. Kumar also became popular as the “God of war”. Unmarried girls seek the blessings of Lord Kartikeya to have a handsome life partner in life.
Although the main significance of the day is associated with Lord Kartikeya, but, it’s the Solar and Lunar deity worshipped on this day.

How to Reach?

Dhenkanal:
The head quarter town of the district Dhenkanal is ideally located of National high way No: 42 Connecting Cuttack with Sambalpur. The approach to Dhenkanal district is as follows.

Air:
The nearest airport for approaching the places of interest in the district of Dhenkanal is at Bhubaneswar(99 Km) which is connected with New Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai, Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Nagpur by boeing flights.

Rail:
Dhenkanal Railway station on S.E. Railway.

Road :
99 km. From Bhubaneswar on N.H. No. 42 Regular bus services connect Dhenkanal with Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Raipur, etc.