Sudasha Brata, a unique fasting tradition observed by married women in Odisha, is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and is performed to ensure the well-being and prosperity of their families. This sacred brata (or osha) is observed on specific Thursdays that coincide with the Dashami tithi (tenth day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon), and there can be more than one Sudasha Brata day in a year.
On the day of Sudasha Brata, Odia women begin by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi following traditional rituals. They then tie a sacred thread (brata) around their right arm after it has been ritually bathed in turmeric and water. The thread is knotted ten times while reciting ten different names of Goddess Lakshmi—each knot representing one name. These names are:
The thread remains on the woman’s arm until the next Sudasha Brata, when it is replaced with a new one following the same ritual.
The puja ideally begins at the Brahma Muhurta (the early hours before sunrise) when Goddess Lakshmi is believed to visit the homes of her devotees. Women perform a bath with turmeric paste, dress in clean clothes (usually a yellow or white-red saree), and offer prayers to welcome the Goddess into their homes. Special attention is paid to drawing patterns of Lakshmi’s feet (chita) at the entrance and throughout the house, which are then ritually cleaned.
In the puja room, a kalash (water-filled pot) is placed over a bed of paddy grains and adorned with a mango twig with 10 leaves. A green coconut wrapped in “naali saalu kanaa” is placed atop the kalash, and flowers are offered. The Goddess's idol is bathed with haldi (turmeric water) and panchamrit (a mixture of five ingredients), followed by the application of sandalwood paste and vermilion. The puja also includes lighting a special “Dasa Mukhi Deepa” (a lamp with ten wicks) and incense sticks.
A unique feature of this brata is that everything offered during the puja must be in multiples of ten—10 varieties of flowers, 10 manda pithas (a type of sweet), 10 balls of “Chenna Chakata” (a mixture of cheese and fruits), and so on. Women also tie the sacred thread using 10 leaves of duba grass, 10 amla (jujube) leaves, and 10 rice grains.
The puja is performed in three phases:
Prabhat Kaal Puja (Early Morning Puja): Women offer a Baal Bhoga (food offering) made from 10 varieties of seasonal fruits, along with 10 balls of “Chenna Chakata.”
Madhyana Purbe Puja (Pre-noon Puja): 10 Mandaa Pithas are offered to the Goddess as prasad (sacred food).
Sandhya Purbe Puja (Evening Puja): A final offering of “Chenna Panaa” is made to Goddess Lakshmi before the evening sets in.
The observance of Sudasha Brata carries several beliefs and principles that devotees follow to please Goddess Lakshmi:
Honesty and Industriousness: Goddess Lakshmi blesses those who are hardworking and honest.
Peace and Harmony: The Goddess prefers peaceful surroundings. Loud noise and negativity, such as arguments, are said to displease her.
Cleanliness: Goddess Lakshmi is fond of cleanliness. Maintaining a clean house and wearing clean clothes is crucial to receiving her blessings.
Respect for Women: Disrespecting women is believed to bring the wrath of the Goddess.
Lighting Lamps: Waking up early, lighting lamps in the morning, and during the evening aarti are seen as essential to keeping Goddess Lakshmi pleased.
Sudasha Brata is a deep expression of devotion, combining spiritual practice with cultural significance, ensuring prosperity and happiness for families who observe it diligently.
