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Prathamastami is an Odia festival that falls on the eighth day(Ashtami) of the KrushnaPaksha in the Margarisa month.This day celebrates the firstborn of a family and is one of the most important festivals of Odisha. This day can also be referred to as the second birthday of the elder child and on this day, the first child is called Podhuan.
On this day, the oldest child of a family who is also known as Podhuan is given the most important status and are pampered a lot. The Podhuan gets to wear a new dress gifted to them by their maternal uncle also known as Ashtami Bandhu. The specialty of this day is a pitha named 'EnduriPitha'. Enduri pitha is made from the ground paste of rice and urad dal. The filling is made of grated coconut caramelized in jaggery. It's wrapped in turmeric leaf(haladipatra) and is steamed. This pitha is also called Haladi Patra Pitha. On this day, an Odia household smells the heavenly aroma of the steamed turmeric leaves.
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(Enduri Pitha, Kheeri and Dalma)
There's a legend associated with the celebration of Prathamastami. On this day Lord Lingaraj, the eldest son of his family in a palanquin went to visit KapaliMatha, his maternal uncle's house. Lord Baruneswar, his maternal uncle, and Goddess Banadevi, his maternal aunt grandly welcomed him. His maternal uncle gifted him new clothes while his maternal aunt gave him 'EnduriPitha' to eat. Also according to another folklore, Krishna and Balaram dressed in new clothes went to their maternal uncle Raja Kansa's house and were honored.
Prathamastami is also called Soubhangini Asthami. On this day, farmers pay homage to thank Goddess Soubhangini to have blessed their child and their crops. This day marks the first harvest of rice of the season. From this rice, Enduri Pitha and Kheeri are made. The eldest child, on this day, is offered the food first. The eldest child of the family is given the utmost importance because it is believed that after the father, it is the responsibility of the eldest child to take care of the family.
The whole family gets up before dawn and take a bath. Then the mother of a family goes to the kitchen to prepare EnduriPitha, Dalma, and Kheeri. Then the eldest child wears new clothes and is made to sit on a Pidha(wooden pedestal). In front of them is placed a Kalash and the mother does the arti of the child and prays to Sasthi Devi, the Goddess who protect children from all kind of evils. Then they are given Pitha and Kheeri to eat. Then the eldest child takes the blessing of Sasthi Devi. The whole day is filled with happiness and positive vibes.
