Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik extended their wishes to the public on the occasion of ‘Prathamastami’, a celebration honoring the firstborns in families. In a message on X, the Governor expressed, “Heartfelt greetings and best wishes on the occasion of Prathamastami, the unique festival of Odia culture. May everyone’s life be filled with happiness and prosperity through the boundless grace of Mahaprabhu. #Prathamastami.” Majhi remarked, “A unique tradition of Odia culture, ‘Prathamastami’, heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all on this occasion.
May everyone’s life be filled with happiness and prosperity by the blessings of Mahaprabhu.” The BJD president and former chief minister Naveen Patnaik also conveyed his wishes, stating in a social media post, “I am conveying my best wishes to everyone on the sacred occasion of Prathamastami. This tradition of ours, honoring the eldest in a family, is the most unique. I pray for everyone’s well-being at the feet of the Great Lord. #Prathamastami.” ‘Prathamastami’ is celebrated on the eighth day of the month of ‘Margasira’, during which special prayers are offered for the well-being of the eldest child, referred to as the ‘podhuan’.
According to tradition, maternal uncles present the eldest child with new clothes while mothers pray for their health and longevity. The firstborn is adorned with vermilion, sandal paste, ‘doob’ grass, and sacred rice grains. On this occasion, the people of Odisha prepare a special rice cake blended with turmeric leaves, known as ‘Enduri Pitha’, which is offered to Goddess Sasthi Devi, the protector of children. Rituals are also conducted at the Lord Jagannath temple in Puri, where Lord Balabhadra is worshiped as the firstborn, and similar ceremonies take place at the Shree Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar.
