Bhubaneswar: Prathamastami is one of the most popular festivals of Odisha celebrated on the eighth day of ‘Margasira’ month.
On this occasion, special prayers are offered for the well being of the eldest child of the family, who is also called the ‘podhuan’.
Rituals
Maternal uncles, ‘ashtami bandhu’, present the eldest child of the family with new clothes while mothers pray for their well-being and long life.
Following the rituals, the child is smeared with vermilion, sandal paste and then adorned with doob grass and sacred rice grains.
Along with grains and flowers, special pithas (cakes) are offered Sasthi Devi, who is the protector of children.
Enduri Pitha
Significance Of Prathamastami
The significance of this festival is that firstborns are usually considered brighter and expected to take up the burden of the family later on in life.
Lord Lingaraj also visits Kapali Mutt, his maternal uncle’s house on this day. The presiding deities of this mutt, Lord Baruneswar and Goddess Banadevi are the maternal uncle and aunt of Lord Lingaraj.
Bhubaneswar: In what could be perceived as a damage control measure, the BJD has appointed…
New Delhi: Falling in love is one thing but being addicted to love is something…
New Delhi: Two Malaysian navy helicopters collided in mid-air during a rehearsal for a naval…
Puri: A miscreant was nabbed and handed over to police by local people while he…
By Darpan Bhalla The phenomenon of climate change has made a profound and multifaceted impact on farming,…
Bhubaneswar: In order to clear additional rush of passengers in regular trains, the East Coast…
Gajapati: A five-year-old girl, who was severely injured after she fell into a cauldron containing…
Bhubaneswar: NCC cadets and NSS volunteers of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA)…