The Georgia Chapter of the Odisha Society of Americas (OSA-GA) on the evening of October 23 celebrated Kumara Utsava at North Gwinnett High School in Suwanee, Georgia.
The cultural event reportedly showcased the traditions of Odisha with a fantastic combination of music, dance, songs, dramas, and other vivid art forms from all regions of Odisha. The festive extravaganza started with a video message from the honourable Consul General of India at Atlanta, Dr Swati V Kulkarni. She wished all the success for the event. The chief guest Madan Kumar Ghidiyal, Additional Consul General of India in Atlanta, inaugurated the event by lighting lamps and addressing the audience.
The Georgia Odia families volunteered with outstanding commitment to making every aspect of this event come alive, amusing around 400 guests. Their commitment also included promoting welfare back in Odisha as part of the proceeds went to Adruta Children’s Home, an organisation that focuses on rehabilitating children in need of care and protection.
With several US states, including Texas, Florida, Ohio, Georgia, etc., continuing to celebrate October as the Hindu Heritage Month, OSA Georgia worships the divine mother invoking the feminine energy within every life force during this auspicious month. Hence, OSA-GA Chapter has made great efforts to celebrate this womanhood in all her forms, colours, and manifestations for this Sharad Purnima.
The traditional Kumar Utsav depicted maidens offering prayers to the Sun God early in the morning. As the full harvest moon adorns the sky, they offer prayers to Lord Kartikeya (son of Shiva and Parvati). And during the evening prayers, the community offers a moon-shaped prasad to the Moon God and pray for a beautiful, successful life. In the end, everyone enjoys the mesmerising moonlit night with the traditional song and dance of Kumar Purnima.
The vision of the Odia community in Georgia is to bestow the next generation with the unique inheritance of Odisha through cultural events. Days leading to such an event, in-depth explanations were provided to the younger generation about the scientific background and significance of these rituals.
Through Kumara Utsav, people came closer and showed the spirit of harmony and camaraderie in the community.
