Prathamastami

Prathamastami
Prathamastami
	Haladi Patra Pitha made during Prathamastami
Also called	Bhairava Ashtami, Saubhagini Ashtami, Paap-nashini Ashtami
Observed by	Odias
Significance	Festival for the firstborn child of the family
Observances	Pujas, rituals, Enduri Pitha
Date	Margashira Krishna Ashtami, 8th Margashira of Odia calendar
2023 date	5 December
Frequency	annual

Prathamastami is a ritual/festival held in Odisha praying for the life and prosperity of the eldest child of a family. The first child after completion of its one year is made to wear new clothes and offered a lighted lamp ovation by the senior female relatives followed by elaborate rituals during which the Mantras are recited. The celebration falls on the eighth day of moon waning phase—Ashtami—of the month of Margashira according to the Odia calendar, occurring on the eighth day after Kartik Purnima.

The ritual involves Arti of the eldest child by mother and relatives in which the maternal uncle sends the items necessary for the rituals like new clothes, coconut, jaggery, newly harvested rice, black gram, turmeric leaves, coconut and other things(etc). Ganesha, Shashti devi and the family deity are worshipped. The main delicacy of the day is Enduri Pitha.^[1] This day is also known as Soubhagini Ashtami, Kaal Bhairav Ashtami and Paap-nashini Ashtami.^[2]

References

^ (ଏଣ୍ଡୁରି ପିଠା)Orissa profile orissadiary.com
^ J Mohapatra (December 2013). Wellness In Indian Festivals & Rituals. Partridge Pub. pp. 166–167. ISBN 978-1-4828-1690-7.

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{{ In West Bengal [East Midnapur] prathamaasthami is as known as PoduyaAsthami ( পড়ুয়া অষ্ঠমি ). where the rituals included arti of the eldest child of the family as well as all the member of the family who is attached with education by mother and relatives in which they brought for like lal kar, new dresses, fruits and sweets etc. And all the other rituals of this occasion is much similar as prathamaasthami.}}

[1] (ଏଣ୍ଡୁରି ପିଠା)Orissa profile orissadiary.com

[Mohapatra2013-2] J Mohapatra (December 2013). Wellness In Indian Festivals & Rituals. Partridge Pub. pp. 166–167. ISBN 978-1-4828-1690-7.

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