# Pousha Purnima

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pousha_Purnima
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Pousha_Purnima.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pousha_Purnima
> Source revision: 1348837812
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Annual festival in Odisha, India

Pousha Purnima Also called Puspuni Observed by Odisha Begins Pausha Shukla Purnima Ends Pausha Purnima Related to Paush Purnima

**Pousha Purnima**, also known as **Puspuni**, is an annual harvest festival observed in [Odisha](/source/Odisha), [India](/source/India)[1] on the full moon ([Puni](/source/Purnima)) in the month of Pus (Sanskrit *[Pausha](/source/Pausha)*). The day is an opportunity for farmers to celebrate their annual harvest, and is accompanied by celebrations held by other communities, involving feasts, music and dance.

## Observance

Cultural Festival where children travel with local songs asking for food grains called "ChherChhera". Local to Western Odisha.

Bargarh town, in Western Odisha observes Pousha a day later than elsewhere, reflecting beliefs on the deaths of mythical King of [Dhanuyatra](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dhanuyatra&action=edit&redlink=1).

The farmers of Western Odisha grow rice on their agricultural land during monsoon and harvest in autumn. Pausha occurs after the harvest in celebration, and involves cooking dishes, especially goat meat, along with rice pudding and cakes. The food is eaten with family and friends. Some communities celebrate with *Kusna* (rice-liquor) and *Mahuli.* This feasting is associated with community playing, singing and dancing. In past, the male youth played *Chhur, Gudu, and Gourbaadi*. Some engage themselves in pastimes like *Kukraamaar* (cock-fight), *Garraamaar* (ram-fight) and the like. Likewise, the girls played *Saatgaati* or *Kansaadi* indoors and *Humo-bauli* outdoors.

A tradition known as *chher-Chheraa* ("grain for the birds") is also practiced, that involves leaving some produce unattended for wildlife.[2] Grains for this are collected door-to-door by children. Some of what is collected is given to the unlanded poor.

During celebrations, farmers gives payment to labourers who had worked the harvest (*Bhuti*), including a bonus called *Nistaar*. The word *nistaar* means "freedom", and signifies the end of the contract.[3]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Pousa Purnima"](http://gopabandhuacademy.gov.in/sites/default/files/gazetter/Nuapada_Gazetteer.pdf) (PDF). *gopabandhuacademy.gov.in*. Retrieved 4 October 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Chher Chhera : The Agricultural Festival of Western Odisha"](http://odisha.gov.in/e-magazine/Orissareview/2014/Dec/engpdf/83.pdf) (PDF). Retrieved 4 October 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Farmers Resent as Paddy Procurement Slows Down"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161005132155/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2014/jan/18/Farmers-Resent-as-Paddy-Procurement-Slows-Down-565415.html). *The New Indian Express*. Archived from [the original](http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2014/jan/18/Farmers-Resent-as-Paddy-Procurement-Slows-Down-565415.html) on October 5, 2016. Retrieved 4 October 2016.

## External links

- [https://nawrangpur.blogspot.in/2017/01/chher-chhera-in-puspuni-at-nabarangpur.html](https://nawrangpur.blogspot.in/2017/01/chher-chhera-in-puspuni-at-nabarangpur.html)

- [http://www.bhubaneswarbuzz.com/updates/festivals/chher-chhera-puspuni-agricultural-festival-western-odisha](http://www.bhubaneswarbuzz.com/updates/festivals/chher-chhera-puspuni-agricultural-festival-western-odisha)

- [http://jaikosal.blogspot.in/2011/01/puspuni-important-agricultural-festival.html](http://jaikosal.blogspot.in/2011/01/puspuni-important-agricultural-festival.html)

- [http://eodishasamachar.com/en/western-odisha-community-of-uae-celebrates-puspuni-2017-invites-lokakabipadmashreehaladhar-nag-to-join-the-celebrations/](http://eodishasamachar.com/en/western-odisha-community-of-uae-celebrates-puspuni-2017-invites-lokakabipadmashreehaladhar-nag-to-join-the-celebrations/)

- [https://odishalive.tv/news/puspuni-celebrations-organized-at-dubai/](https://odishalive.tv/news/puspuni-celebrations-organized-at-dubai/)

- [http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/uae-w-odisha-community-to-organise-puspani.html](http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/uae-w-odisha-community-to-organise-puspani.html)

v t e Culture of Odisha Dance Classical Gotipua Mahari Odissi Folk Bagha Nacha Chadheia Chaiti ghoda Chhau Chutkuchuta Dalkhai Danda Nata Dhan Koela Dhuduki Ghumura Jhumar Jodi sankha Karma Kandhei nacha Kathi Kandhei Keisabadi Nachni Naga nrutya Pala Rasarkeli Ranapa Sambalpuri Samprada Laudi nata Lankapodi Lila Tamasa Pasu nrutya Patua Sakhi Nata Suanga Tribal Desia Gadaba Kandha Koya Onra Paraja Saura Music Odissi Khanjani Kendara Dhumpa Play, theatre and puppetry Play and theatre Bharata Lila Dasakathia Dhanu Jatra Jatra Prahallada Nataka Puppetry Ravana chhaya Sakhi kandhei Wedding Odia Hindu wedding Festivals Bali Jatra Boita Bandana Deepabali Dola Jatra Durga Puja Nuakhai Gamha Purnima Kumar Purnima Makar Sankranti Manabasa Gurubara Maha Bishuba Sankranti (Pana Sankranti) Pousha Purnima Prathamastami Ratha Jatra Raja Samba Dashami Savitri Brata Sitalsasthi Snana Jatra Martial arts Paika akhada Handlooms Baleswari bandha Berhampuri Bomkai (Sonepuri) Dhalapathar Gopalpur Tussar Habaspuri Kotpad Ikat Pasapali Sambalpuri Arts and Handicrafts Arts Pattachitra Jhoti chita Saura painting Idital Handicrafts Chandua Tarakasi Ganjapa Clay Stoneworks Wooden crafts Bronze & Bell metal works Dhokra Architecture Kalinga architecture Deula Calendar (Panjika) Odia calendar Anka year Category

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Pousha Purnima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pousha_Purnima) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pousha_Purnima?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.