'Manabasa Gurubara' observance date sparks confusion among devotees in Odisha

After Deepavali and Kartika Purnima, a fresh disagreement has emerged over the observance of Manabasa Gurubara among devotees in Odisha. The last Manabasa Thursday falls on December 4, which is also a full moon day, leading to confusion about the concluding rituals. 

Many women are reportedly anxious regarding the conduct of the Manabasa Puja dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi. However, since the full moon falls within the month of Margashira, women will be able to perform the Manabasa Gurubara rituals as usual.

Five Thursdays in Margashira Month

This year, the month of Margashira includes five Thursdays. Of these, three rounds of Thursday puja have already been completed. The final Thursday of the month will now be treated as the fourth and concluding round of puja. On the first Thursday of Margashira, Maa Mahalaxmi was worshipped following traditional rituals. After the preparation of the Mahalakshmi Prathamashtami Podua, most women performed the Manabasa Puja on the second Thursday.

Priests Clarify Ritual Procedures

According to priests and astrologers, the final round of Manabasa Puja rituals can be carried out on December 4, as the day coincides with both Thursday and the full moon. They maintain that there is no restriction preventing the observance of the rituals under these conditions.

Pandit Padmanabha Tripathy, an expert in Jagannath Culture, said, “The Manabasa rituals are carried on Thursdays of Margashira month. The rituals are not done until Prathamashtami, but they can be done on all following Thursdays. Every household carries out the puja as per their ancestral rituals. Even though the completion day falls on Thursday, along with Purnami and Chaturdashi, it can still be carried out as no rules are saying otherwise.”

Women Await Final Observance

With varying interpretations contributing to confusion, the final observance of Manabasa Gurubara this year is expected to take place on December 4, when devotees will complete the concluding puja rituals dedicated to Goddess Mahalaxmi.