ପଣ୍ଡୁ ଓଷା(Pandu Osha)

ପଣ୍ଡୁ ଓଷା (Pandu Osha) is observed in Odisha in the Margasira masa (month). It is dedicated to Yudhishtira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers. Pandu Osha 2010 date is December 20. Some texts suggest that the Osha is dedicated to Pandu the father of the Pandavas. Annually Pandu Osha falls on the Purnima or full moon day in Odia Margashirsh mas. It is also known as Pandu Purnima.A popular story associated with Pandu Osha states that the King of Kalinga had no children and his luck changed after he and the queen observed the Pandu Osha.

Girls cleans the road by special jhaddu  at early morning in this Margasira mash .This process ends on Pandu Purnima . End of Margasira mash , Girls are doing a puja called as 'Pandu Osha' at evening .Girls are doing this osha for his brother .

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Vaikunta Ekadashi

Vaikunta Ekadashi vrata is observed on Dhanur Masa Shukla Paksha Ekadasi or on the 11th day of bright fortnight during Dhanur Masam. Vaikunta Ekadashi 2010 date is December 17. It falls on Margashira Shukla Ekadasi day as per telugu and Kannada calendars.
In North India, this Ekadashi is observed as Putrada Ekadasi/Mokshada Ekadasi. Vaikunta Ekadasi is a grand festival in Lord Vishnu temples. This festival is celebrated with lot of gusto in Tirumala Tirupati Sri Venkateshwara Devasthanam, Sri Rangam Ranganatha Swamy temple, Bhadrachalam Sri Rama Devasthanam, and many more Vishnu temples in South India.

Vaikunta Ekadashi is the major festival celebrated in Dhanur Masam in South Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. On this day, in Vishnu temples, Vaikunta Dwar or Vaikunta Dwaram or Vaikunta Vaasal (entrance to Heaven) is opened for Darshan of Lord Vishnu. Vaikunta Dwara lies in North side to the temple. This gate is open only on Vaikunt Ekadasi day in the whole year. Vaikunt Ekadasi is also observed as Mukkoti Ekadasi.

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Dhanu Sankranti

Dhanu Sankranti, also known as Dhanur Sankranthi or Dhanu Sankraman, is the auspicious day when Sun (Surya Bhagwan) enters into Dhanu Rashi (Sagittarius).




Dhanu Sankranti is of great significance in Orissa and special prayers and pujas are offered to Lord Jagannath on the day.


In Odisha, a special sweet made of rice known as Dhanumuan is prepared on the day.

The auspicious month for Vaishnava sect of people, Dhanur Mas, begins on this day. During Dhanur Mas, the popular Dhanu Yatra is celebrated at Baragarh in Odisha. This day commemorates the visit of Lord Sri Krishna to Mathura.

Sankraman Snan (ritual bath during Dhanu Sankranti) is performed in holy rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Tungabhadra, and Cauvery during this auspicious day. Dhanur Mas ends on Makara Sankranti day. Makara Sankranti marks the transition of Sun to Makara Rashi (Capricorn)

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Sudasha Brata(ସୁଦଶା ବ୍ରତ)

Sudasha Brata is on 12-12-13 

ସୁଦଶା ବ୍ରତ (Sudasha Brata) is also known as Sudasa Vrata . Sudasha Brata is a unique ritual observed in Odisha. When there is a rare combination of Shukla Paksha, Thursday and Dasami in Odia Panji (Calendar) Sudash Brata is observed. Sudasa Brata is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Special Mahalaxmi puja is observed on the day. 

Sudasa Vrata is observed mainly by women for the wellbeing of the family. The main ritual involves the tying of a sacred thread on the right hand by women. The thread is only replaced during the next Sudasa Vrata.

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Manabasa Gurubar

Manabasa is on 12-12-13

Manabasa Gurubar a unique HINDU festival observed, mostly in Odisha in India.

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ପ୍ରଥମାଷ୍ଟମୀ (Prathamastami)

ପ୍ରଥମାଷ୍ଟମୀ (Prathamastami) is celebrated on the 7th day in the month of Margasira & is 1 of the most popular festivals in Odisha. On this day, the eldest child of the family is honored.The ritual includes the mother or any other elderly lady wishing the child long-life and good health by praying 'Sasthi Debi', the Goddess who protects children. A special variety of cake called ‘enduri’ is prepared during the occasion.


Enduri Pitha : Eduri made from rice flour & biri (black gram) ,often with guda (jaggery ) and nadia(coconut)

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Panchuka/Uthapan Ekadasi

Uthapan Ekadasi is also known as Panchuka. Panckuka is the last five days of Kartik month in Odisha and people abstain from all types of non-vegetarian food during the period. This period is of great significance to Lord Jagannath devotees. Traditionally, staunch devotees of Lord Jagannath abstain from all type of non-vegetarian foods during the entire Kartik month but those who are unable to follow it, observe it during the last five days of the month. 
 
Today(17th Nov 2010) is Uthapan Ekadasi / Panchuka

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Anla Nabami

Anla Nabami is observed on the ninth day of the waxing phase of moon (Kartik Shukla Nabami) during the Kartik mash/month (October – November). This Nabami ritual is mainly followed in Odisha. Anla Nabami 2010 date is November 15. On this day pujas and rituals are offered to Anla Plant.

Anla Nabami ritual is mainly performed by women in Odisha. The day is of great significance at the Sakhigopal Temple near Puri. On this day devotees get the darshan of the feet of the idol of Radha in the temple.

Note: Anla =Amla

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iLSSS: କୁଆଁର ପୁନେଇ

07-Oct-2014

କୁଆଁର ପୁନେଇ ଜହ୍ନଗୋ ଫୁଲ ବଉଳବେଣୀ

Odia Valentine day named as Kumar Purnima.

Shaheed Bhagat Singh

Shaheed Bhagat Singh ka janma din ....Beta ho to esha bharata mata ki...

He is the symbol of the heroism of the youth of India. A revolutionary He threw a bomb
when the Legislature was in session to warn the British Government. He was put to death
but lives in the hearts of his countrymen.
 

http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-heroes/bhagat-singh.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhagat_Singh

 

 

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Bishwakarma Puja

Bishwakarma Puja or Biswakarma Diwas is the day to worship Lord Bishwakarma, the Hindu God of architecture and engineering. Bishwakarma Puja 2010 date is September 17.

Biswakarma Diwas is celebrated mainly in industrial towns of West Bengal, Orissa, Tripura, Assam and some other Eastern and Northern states of India


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Karma

Karma is misunderstand as fate, an unchangeable destiny decreed long ago by agencies or forces external to us such as the planet and stars, or Gods.

Our individual karma is of three types: sanchita, prarabdha and kriyamana. Sanchita is the sum total of past karmas yet to be resolved. Prarabdha is that portion of sanchita karma scheduled to be experienced in the present life, shaping its events and conditions, including the nature of our bodies, personal tendencies and associations.

Benevolent actions (punyakarma or sukarma) will bring loving reactions. Selfish, hateful acts (papakarma or kukarma) will bring suffering.

Every action that we perform in life, every word we speak, even every thought that we think, has its reaction.

Reference: 
Swami Vivekanand thoughts .

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Guru Dibash

Guru Dibash(Teacher's Day) is the birthday [5 September 1888 ],of the second President of India, academic philosopher Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. It is considered a "celebration" day, where teachers and students report to school as usual but the usual activities and classes are replaced by activities of celebration, thanks and remembrance. At some schools on this day, the responsibility of teaching is taken up by the senior students to show appreciation for their teachers.

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Janmashtami

Janmashtami is on 25-Aug-2016

Krishna Janmashtami (Devanagari कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी) , also known as "Krishnashtami","Saatam Aatham" ,"Gokulashtami", "Ashtami Rohini", "Srikrishna Jayanti", "Sree Jayanthi" or sometimes merely as "Janmashtami", is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar of the Hindu deity Vishnu

Janmastami, popularly known as Krishna Janmastami is celebrated as Lord Krishna’s Birthday ,believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu Himself. Janmashtami is celebrated on the eight day ,that is Astami of Krishna Paksha in the Bhadrab mash(month) of Hindu calendar .The festival celebration is most popular in Mathura and vrindavan, where enactments of Ras Lila is also performed.

Significance

According to rituals fast is kept the previous day. The idol of baby Krishna is bathed at midnight and put to a cradle. Then it is worshipped and special Aartis are song after which the fast is broken. In the morning of Janmashtami small feet impression is drawn outside the house with rice and flour paste(chita/jhoti) to give the feeling that Baby Krishna has entered the house to bless the devotee. Ras Lilas are performed to recreate the youthful days of Krishna’s life. The festival is celebrated with huge enthusiasm in many parts of the country.

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Grahma Purnima( Raksha Bandhan)

Raksha Bandhan on 18-Aug-2016

Rakhi is also celebrated as Grahma Purnima in Odisha. On this date all the domesticated Cows and Bullocks are decorated and worshiped. Various kinds of country-made cakes called "Pitha" and sweets "mitha" are made and distributed within families, relatives and friends.

Originally in Odisha this day marks the worship of Lord Balabhadra. Bullocks and cows are also worshipped by smearing their heads with sindur. The youngsters gather in the streets and demonstrate a traditional high jumping skill called  Gamha Dian.

Raksha Bandhan (रक्षाबंधन ) is a Hindu festival, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana (Shravan Poornima) .

The festival is marked by the tying of a rakhi, or holy thread by the sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her as she presents sweets to her brother. The brother and sister traditionally feed one another sweets.

It is not necessary that the rakhi be given only to a blood brother; any male can be "adopted" as a brother by tying a rakhi on the person, irrespective of whether he is cousin or a good friend. Indian history is replete with women asking for protection, through rakhi, from men who were neither their brothers, nor Hindus themselves.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raksha_Bandhan

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Sudasha Brata

Sudasha Brata is also known as Sudasa Vrata or Dhanu Sankranti. Sudasha Brata is a unique ritual observed in Odisha. When there is a rare combination of Shukla Paksha, Thursday and Dasami in Odia Calendar Sudash Brata is observed. Sudasa Brata is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Special Mahalaxmi puja is observed on the day. In 2010, the date of Sudasha Brata is August 19.

Sudasa Brata is observed mainly by women for the wellbeing of the family. The main ritual involves the tying of a sacred thread on the hand by women. The thread is only replaced during the next Sudasa Brata.

Sudash Brata is observed whenever there is a combination of (1) Shukla Paksha (2) Thursday  and (3) Dasami. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped during the day by offering  ten Manda Pithas in puja (see Oriya Foods page for recipe of Manda Pitha). A string consisting of ten layers of thread is prepared in the prescribed manner and tied on the arm by women until the arrival next occasion for Sudasha Brata (when the string is replaced again).

 Odisha’s economy rests firmly on the shoupracheelders of its green fields and farmers. To accentuate the power of the man of grains and gruel, Vaishnav poet of Odisha Kabi Balaram Das introduced the festival " Manabasa " and Sudasa Brata , about 400 years back. The paraphernalia of the festival includes drawing a lotus motif and installing a wooden stool containing the beetlenut and the newly harvested grains. A special cake called "Manda" is offered as Prasad to the Goddess Laxmi.

It is a ritualistic practice to recite the Laxmi Purana on this day. It is interesting even Goddess Laxmi as a woman was not spared by her husband Lord Jagannath and banished out of her abode on a trivial mistake. The poet very aptly conveys the establishment of values like harmony, equality and social stability. The poet strongly believed that it is not through religious discipline but through sense of cleanliness, humility and noble thoughts that one can achieve the divine grace.

Reference: 

http://www.orissadiary.com

http://www.rathyatra.net

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ଚିତାଲାଗି ଅମାବାସ୍ୟା (Chitalagi Amabasya)

ଚିତାଲାଗି ଅମାବାସ୍ୟା (Chitalagi Amabasya) :

Update: ଆଜି ଚିତାଲାଗି ଅମାବାସ୍ୟା

Today is the Chitalagi Amabasya.

Chitalagi Amavasya is observed in the Shraban or Shravan month in Odisha...A special delicacy known as Chitau Pitha is prepared on the day at homes.

On the Chitalagi Amavasya day, a special ritual is held at Puri Jagannath temple. The forehead of the murti of Jagannath is adorned with a golden mark known as Chitta.

Some lines for us.

Manisa manka madhye re Barika
Pakhi manka bhitare Kau
Pashu manka bhitare Bilua
Debata manka mandhyre Narad

Sabitri Brata (ସାବିତ୍ରୀ ବ୍ରତ)

Namaskar,
Update Date :Sabitri brata on 28th May 2014, Wednesday , Jestha Amabasya.

Importance, legend and Merits of Savitri Amavasya Brata/Vrata:

ସାବିତ୍ରୀ ବ୍ରତ Savitri Amavasya/Amabasya Brata/Vrata is also associated with the legend of Savitri and Satyavan. The story tells – how Savitri rescued her husband, Satyavant, from death and also regained his kingdom for him.

Puranas describe that every married woman should admire Savitri for her great devotion to her husband. On the day of Savitri Brata, married women recite the Sabitri Brata Katha – the legend of Savitri and Satyavan. Merits of the observance of Savithri Brata include – the well being and long life of the performers husband and prosperous married life....

Savitri Brata Puja is dedicated to Sati Savitri, who fought with Lord Yama, the God of death, and finally got her husbands life back. When Savitris husband Satyavant destined to die within a particular time but she observed a great penance which made her husband to live longer. Lord Yama was very much determined to take away Savitris husband Satyavants life. But Savitris great dedication and devotion towards her husband results in regaining Satyavants life as well as his kingdom. Vata Savitri Vratam is especially dedicated to the married life of Savitri and Satyavant.

Customs and Rituals of  Savitri Vrata(ସାବିତ୍ରୀ ବ୍ରତ):

Sati Savitri is worshipped as the deity during Vat Savitri Vrata. Early morning on the Vat Savitri Vrata day, married women perform ritual bath and after wearing new clothes. During the puja, devotees offer Bhoga (food offerings) to Savitri Devi and worship her with utmost devotion.

Raja Parba(ରଜ ପର୍ବ) : The Festival of Swings(Doli)

Namaskar ,
Update: ରଜ ପର୍ବ (Raja Festival) on 14 th Jun 2021.

Festivals of any state reflect the culture, tradition and history of the people. Festivals in India are mostly associated with seasonal phases of the sun, the moon, birth of divinities and agricultural operations. Legends have grown connecting these festivals with mythological events recorded in the Puranas and other religious literatures. They intend to inspire faith and virtuous life among the people as a result of which religious impact pervades the celebration or observance of all the festivals.

Though festivals are deeply associated with religion (faith), the main purpose seems to be recreational. They mitigate the monotony of life. Man and women tired of hard routine work need change or relaxation which festivals provide. Thus festivals promote a common cause, develop social solidarity, fellow feeling and mutual co-operation. They also instill self discipline and emphasize the spiritual value of human existence besides providing enjoyment and recreation.

In ancient days most of the celebrations were agricultural in their basic character having festivals mostly related to various agricultural operations. People thought certain divine powers were associated with various aspects of human life and festivals were scheduled in honor of Gods and Goddesses, who were supposed to control agricultural operations. The tradition of such festivals have also come down to the people of Odisha in the form of Raja-Sankranti(swing-festival), Akhayatrutiya, Gamha-purnima, Manabasa-gurubara, Nuakhai etc.

Raja is an agriculture oriented festival, mostly observed in the coastal districts of Odisha for three days. The last day of month "Jestha" is known as "Pahili Raja" and the first day of month "Asadha" is Raja Sankranti (Mithuna Sankranti) from which rainy season starts. It also inaugurates the agricultural year all over Odisha which marks the moistening of summer parched soil with the first shower of monsoon making it ready for productivity. The second day of "Asadha" is known as "Bhuin Dahana". To celebrate the advent of monsoon the joyous festival is arranged for three days. Even in some places of Odisha the fourth day of Raja festival is also celebrated in the name of "Basumata Puja". During this festival Mother Earth or "Basu Mata" is considered to be a menstruating woman. Hence digging of soil or tempering it in any way is strictly prohibited. The Mother Earth is said to undergo pollution due to menstruation and given rest just like a woman imposed with several restrictions.

Raja is also considered as one of the chief festivals of unmarried girls or the potential mothers. The women folk, especially the virgins, forbid all kinds of manual works during these three days of Raja-festival. They don't carry water, cut vegetables, sweep the houses, sew clothes, grind grains, comb hair, walk in bare foot etc. So, all kind of restrictions are imposed both for the land and the women-folk.

Although Raja Sankranti is celebrated all over Odisha, it is more enthusiastically observed in the coastal districts of the State. The unmarried girls or virgins observe the restrictions prescribed for a menstruating woman. On the first day of Raja Sankranti they rise before the dawn, do their coiffure, anoint their bodies with turmeric paste and oil, then take the purification bath in the river or tank. Bathing for rest two days of the festival is strictly prohibited. During these three days girls are seen in the best of their dresses and decorations, eating cakes and rich food at the houses of friends and relatives. They move up and down in the swings rending the village sky with their joyous impromptu songs. The swings are tied to the branches of

Mango or Banyan trees and decorated with garlands of different flowers. The virgins of the village gather there on this festive occasion and one of them is elected as Dolo-rani (queen of the swing). When the queen takes her seat on the swing, the virgins move her forward and backward with chorus of charming songs. These songs are full of jolly spirit of girl-hood days and refer to glorious future, happy love and would be marriage with suitable husbands.

Special varieties of cake prepared out of recipes like rice-powder, molasses,coconut,camphor, ghee etc goes in the name of Podapitha (burnt-cake ). The size of the cake varies according to the number of family members. Cakes are also exchanged among relatives and friends. Young girls do not take rice during this festival and sustain only with different types of cake, fried rice (mudhi) and vegetable curry. While girls scatter beauty, music all round moving up and down on the swings (Doli)during this festival, young men give themselves busy in various types of country games including Kabadi,Taash(Playing Card) competition. While 'Yatras' and 'Gotipua' dances are arranged at night in prosperous villages; plays and other entertainment programs are also conducted by amateur artists in relatively less prosperous places. 

*Special thanks to

--> Pravukalyan Mohapatra

Source from following sites...

http://www.orissa.gov.in/

http://www.hindu-blog.com/2009/06/pahili-raja-festival-in-orissa.html

http://oriyanari.com/id4.html

http://www.odiasahitya.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja

-->

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