AS i'm from Orissa(shortly named as Odisha), i'm here explaining one festival detail.Today(10th Nov,2009) is Prathamastami festival , and this festival is celebrated for elder child in the family. Usually this festival is celebrated in the eighth day of the month of Margashira(November-Decemcer) .
New clothes presented to the eldest child and the clothes supposed to be given by mother's family.In fornt of him/her an earthen pitcher, full of water is placed.Above it a branch of mango leaves containing either 9 leaves or 7 leaves and a coconut is placed.
Then, the mother or any other elderly lady wishes him /her long-life and good health by praying Sasthi Debi(the Goddess that protects children).The social significanc of this festival is that the first-borns are brighter and it is ultimately they who take up the burden of the family after the death of the parents.So to protect the kid from all danger mother of the eldest child used to worship Goddess Sasthi .
A special prasad on this occasion is known as Enduri Pitha(haldi patra pitha) made on this occassion to offer Goddess Sasthi . Enduri pitha is nothing but the rice cake with coconut & stuffings and it's cover with termeric leaves and steamed, it's very much similar to Idly. Enduri Pitha is first offered to Deity Sasthi then only kids and other family members can have food in this special day. In few family they offer Enduri pitha along with rice, dal , curry , pudding etc.I'm adding few snaps so that you can see it very closely.
10 comments:
Grand one ... this pitha as prasad makes me feel so good! but then, why don't you take both your darling daughters and bless them together?
I am sure only elders can't be brightest. See me, and you'll understand why! ;)
Actually i just celebrate for both of them as it's only two min age gap :),
otherwise they will cry...and along with them me too....so i did the puja for both of them :),
and about pitha if you want i'll send it to you now.....:)
@ swapna - I nominate sayoni and saloni to eat it on my behalf ... no need to send. :)
so many festivals in india, i m thinking of inventing one or two myself
What a religeous practice !!Adoring and respecting the elder child is realy worth.. Being the eldest in my family, I feel it will be more beneficial if it is made a daily practice...:)
Swapna ! That was a very exciting post indeed. Thanks for inviting me to have a look at it. I do appreciate the settings and the related info.
Hope, both Saloni and Sayoni are in perfect health.Please bless them on my behalf.
The homely medicine I suggested comes handy in a few other ailments,too.
Best wishes ! ! !
@ IdelMind- Thanks :), both of them were too happy as this festival is specially for them and they teased that "Mama & papa so sad that you don't have any festival..." what to say these kids :), they can live each and every moment ....and i'm also involved in that
@ Uncommon Sense- yes India is special that's why :)
@ Anitha- Yes dear being eldest child is beneficial in one way but the responsibilities of eldest Child is also more :)
@ Vijay - Yes i just wanted to post this blog in Ibibo but not able to post then i pasted it here and i feel your blessings should be there for my kid, so i invited :) and for homely medicine i'll talk to you in brief :), take care
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