Odisha celebrates special festival ‘Prathamastami’ to honour firstborns

Special Odia festival ‘Prathamastami’ is being observed across the State on Tuesday to celebrate the prosperity and long-life of the firstborn of the family.

The festival is known as Prathamastami because going by Odia almanac it falls on the Asthami tithi of Krushna Paksha in the Odia month of Margasira.  

As per the age-old rituals, the firstborns in Odia families called ‘Podhuans’ are worshipped and honoured on the day. They are made to wear new clothes and eat several types of delicious cakes. Since Margasira month is known as ‘Agrahyana month’, the elder child takes all the responsibility and care of the family.

As per the tradition, new clothes and sweets arrive from the maternal uncle’s house on Prathamastami for the firstborn in a family. Special rituals are performed before Goddess Shathi for the long life and prosperity of the elder child of the family.

Special rituals are being performed at Srimandir in Puri on the occasion of Prathamastami. Elder brother Lord Balabhadra among the Holy Trinity is the ‘Podhuan’.

Madhabananda Jew at Madhaba village under Niali block in Cuttack district is known as the maternal uncle of Lord Jagannath. 

On this day in Jagannath temple at Puri, Baruna Puja is held for Lord Jagannath after the daily morning rituals .Thereafter new clothes, sweets, various fruits and flowers that come as an offering from Madhabananda Jew temple is offered to the Holy Trinity.

This ritual was discontinued for several years but has been reinitiated. The deities wear silken khandua and patta sent from their uncle’s house. 

‘Enduri pitha’ is offered to Jagannath and his siblings in breakfast. This special steamed rice dumpling, stuffed with coconut and molasses filling, wrapped in turmeric leaves is prepared particularly on Prathamastami, once in a year and is offered to the Trinity.