Bhubaneswar, Aug 29: The Shasthi Osha is being celebrated today across various districts of Odisha, especially in Puri and Ganjam. This festival is dedicated to Shasthi Devi, the goddess of fertility and children, and is observed in the Shukla Paksha of Bhadra month .
The festival is closely associated with the worship of Shasthi Devi, who is revered for granting blessings of children, particularly to those seeking progeny. She is also known as Devasena, the divine mother, who is believed to protect and bless children, especially newborns, ensuring their well-being. Shasthi is considered a powerful force for promoting fertility and ensuring the safety of children.
The worship is conducted with various rituals, with special prayers and offerings made to the goddess. Devotees chant the Ashtakshara mantra "नौ ह्रां शष्ठीदेव्यै स्वाहा" during the puja. The idol of Shasthi Devi is typically made from clay or stone and is placed near the Pitalasthapana, and the festival's highlight is a grand puja that involves the decoration of the deity with flowers, sandalwood paste, and turmeric.
The beliefs associated with this festival include ensuring the long life of children, as mothers and family members offer prayers for their well-being. Those who perform the ritual on the 6th day of the lunar cycle are believed to receive divine blessings that help them conceive children and protect their existing offspring from illnesses.
Some of the traditional offerings made to the goddess during this time include a variety of vegetables, fruits, flowers, chandan, and fragrant oils. It is common to find families preparing traditional foods, including pitha, dosa, sweets, and different types of vegetable preparations.
Additionally, Shasthi Osha is seen as a time for spiritual cleansing. The spiritual practices include mantras, hymns, and devotional songs sung in honor of the goddess. A variety of sacred rituals, such as puja with incense, oil lamps, and offering Prasad are conducted by the elders in the family, typically women.
In rural areas, during Shasthi Osha, Shasthi Devi's blessings are also sought for children's safety, protection from illness, and general prosperity. Women, particularly mothers, observe fasting and offer prayers for the health and longevity of their children, and those who wish to conceive observe special rites to ensure blessings for fertility.
Sasthi Osha has become an integral part of the cultural and religious landscape in Odisha, particularly in the western districts. Over time, this celebration has gained more prominence as it bridges the gap between religious beliefs and cultural traditions. It is celebrated with fervor by families and individuals who pray to the goddess to bring happiness and prosperity to their homes.
In Odisha, Sasthi Osha also holds significance in the realms of family and personal devotion, making it an essential celebration for mothers, grandmothers, and women in general, as they gather to pray for their children's well-being.
