The occasion sparkles with a festival of Chhau dances. The festival attains exotic colours in Mayurbhanja, where Chhau originated. On the boat, teenage boys dance the gotipua, dressed as girls. Raja means menstruation. Chants of glory to Jagannath rent the air.
Millions follow the procession.
The journey of Jagannath symbolises the journey from the flesh to the soul. It is the festival of youth. Kumara is Kartik, the son of Lord Shiva, who overcomes the Tarakashura, a star-eyed demon. In the nightlong festival, unmarried men and women worship the moon. Girls play the game of puchi and sing kumarapunei geeta.