Bhubaneswar, Aug 21: Today marks the beginning of 'Budhei Osha,' a significant month-long religious observance in Odisha that takes place every Wednesday. This ritual is one of the most cherished bratas in the region, during which mothers fast to pray for the well-being of their sons and daughters.
The Budhei Osha ritual starts today and will continue every Wednesday for the next month. While some participants observe the brata from Gamhapurnima to Indu Purnima, others follow it from Bhadrab Sankranti to Ashwini Sankranti.
During Budhei Osha, women engage in fasting, either by completely abstaining from food and water (Nirjala) or by refraining only from food, particularly rice. The worship focuses on Lord Budhibaman, with Goddess Bhairabi or Goddess Bimala revered as Budhei Devi.
The ritual requires several sacred items, including multi-colored flowers, fruits, incense sticks, durba grass, turmeric powder, betel nut (gua), conch (kaudi), coconut, red cloth (salu kana), sankhaa bangles, and vermilion.
On each Wednesday, participants establish a coconut and a betel nut at the worship site during the first week. These are broken and offered to the Goddess during the final week's ceremony.
In the intervening Wednesdays, offerings include Odia Pitha and various traditional Odia cakes. The final week features the preparation of five types of pithas. Throughout the observance, women fast during the day and partake in the fruits and sweets offered to the Goddess at dinner.
Essential to the ritual are the grinding stone and grinding bar (Sila and Silapua), which are considered sacred. The process involves giving these items a holy bath with Gangajal (sacred water from the Ganges) and then decorating them with turmeric, vermilion, conch, and flowers. Vermilion is applied to the forehead, while kohl is used for the eyes of the ceremonial idol.
A special book details the tales associated with Budhei Osha, which includes five stories. It is believed that women who diligently observe this brata throughout the year are blessed with offspring as a result of their devotion.
