Manabasa Gurubar: Married women perform puja of Maa Laxmi on Prathama Pali

Bhubaneswar, Nov 21: On the auspicious occasion of Manabasa Gurubar Pratham Pali, the devotees, particularly women, perform a special ritual to worship Maa Laxmi in the wee hours today during the lunar month of Margasira.

This tradition, followed in many parts of Odisha and other rural areas, is steeped in both cultural and agricultural significance.

According to local belief, Maa Laxmi—the goddess of wealth and prosperity—visits every home during Manabasa Gurubar, making it a day for women to offer prayers.

Materials Needed:

1. A clean cloth to place as an altar.
2. Picture or idol of Goddess Lakshmi.
3. Picture or idol of Lord Jagannath (optional, but commonly used for Prathamastami prayers).
4. Oil lamp (Diya) and incense sticks.
5. Fresh flowers (preferably marigold, tulsi, or any other preferred flowers).
6. Fruits (banana, apple, coconut, etc.).
7. Sweets (especially traditional Odia sweets like khicidi, kheeri, or laddu).
8. Rice and grains (for offering).
9. Water in a clean vessel (for abhisheka).
10. Betel leaves, betel nuts, and flowers for the offerings.
11. Kumkum (vermilion) and turmeric (haldi).

How to perform Manabasa Gurubar Puja:

1. Clean the House:

It is believed that Mata Laxmi loves cleanliness. Therefore, women thoroughly clean their homes before starting the puja.

2. Jhoti Chita (Rangoli):

After cleaning, the women draw beautiful Jhoti Chitas—patterns made from rice paste. These are typically in the shape of flowers, often lotus flowers, and the feet of Mata Laxmi.

3. Manda Pitha (Rice Dumplings):

One of the key offerings during the puja is Manda Pitha, a steamed rice dumpling prepared as part of the celebration.

4. Khatuli and Mana:

Women place newly harvested paddy on a Khatuli—a low wooden table—and fill a Mana (a bamboo pot) with the grains, which they then place on the Khatuli as part of the worship.

5. Reading Maha Laxmi Purana:

While performing the puja, women read from the Maha Laxmi Purana, a sacred text written by the poet Balaram Das. Reciting this text is considered essential for completing the ritual.

6. Traditional Attire:

Women typically wear new sarees, often in a combination of red and white, for the occasion. This attire is believed to be auspicious for invoking the goddess’s blessings.