This is one of the most popular festivals of Odisha, peculiar to the region. This is the eighth day in the month of Margasira in which the eldest child of the family is honoured. He or she is given new clothes and is made to sit on a wooden pedestal (Pidha). In fornt of him/her an earthen pitcher, full of water is placed on handfuls of paddy. Above it a branch of mango leaves and a cocoanut 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. According to psychologists the first-borns are mostly healthy, obedient and tradition-bound. Therefore, the family tradition is maintained through them. For such obvious reasons the eldest child is honoured to occupy the respectable place in the family after the death of the parents.


A special variety of cake is prepared on this occasion which is known as 'Enduri'. The cake is offered to the Goddess of Sasthi and then taken by all.

In the temple of Lingaraj at Bhubaneswar, the festival is observed with great devotion. On this day the repesentative deity of Lingaraj is taken out in a palanquin to a tank called "Papanasini" which is situated just behind the temple.



As per tradition, new clothes along with sweets and other delicacies arrive from the maternal uncle’s house for the firstborn or the ‘Pratham’. Kids also visit their uncle’s place to feast on various Odia delicacies on this day. Maternal uncles, aunts, and grandparents also pray for the good health of the firstborn.




The remarkable offering of Prathamastami is Haladipatra Pitha, also known as Enduri Pitha. The sweetmeat made with rice batter is wrapped in fresh and seasonal turmeric leaves and filled with grated coconut and jaggery. Savouring this delicacy with Dalma, another Odia dish, is a treat for the taste.
© TheUncoveredThoughts