Bhubaneswar: While the victory bugle following India's win in Blind Cricket World Cup final reverberated through Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the Al Barsha Pond Park in Dubai pulsated with the rhythms of Sambalpuri songs on the occasion of Puspuni, this Friday.

Picture Courtesy: Paschim Odisha Parivaar

Odisha’s Pankaj Bhue and Mohammed Jafar Iqbal, who were part of India’s Blind Cricket Team, celebrated Puspuni festival in Dubai with Paschim Odisha Parivaar of United Arab Emirates.

Puspuni is the annual agrarian festival of western Odisha. This festival observed on the Puni (Full Moon) day of Pus (Pausha) month as per the Hindu almanac, is an annual occasion where the farmer families celebrate their paddy harvest for the year by singing, dancing and feasting.

Picture Courtesy: Paschim Odisha Parivaar

Non-Resident Odias clad in traditional Sambalpuri attire had gathered for the day-long celebration. A painting competition was organized for children and there were various games for others. The revellers, later, enjoyed a sumptuous Puspuni lunch with traditional dishes like ‘Mansha Tarkari’ and ‘Aambila’.

Picture Courtesy: Paschim Odisha Parivaar

Mahantesh GK, President of World Blind Cricket Council and Cricket Association for the Blind in India (CABI) and John David, CABI General Secretary, joined them in the celebration too.