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

iLSSS
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