Prathamastami 2024: Date, shubh muhurat, significance, timings, rituals and more

Prathamastami 2024: Prathamastami is a much-anticipated festival in Odisha. It falls on November 23, 2024. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha during the Margashira month of the Hindu lunar calendar; Prathamastami is also known locally as ‘Paruha Ashtami’. This celebration is centred around the eldest child in the family.
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This Odia festival is centred on the eldest child, praying for their good health and prosperity. It holds deep symbolic meaning, as the firstborn is seen as the custodian of family traditions, responsible for supporting and taking care of their parents and ensuring the continuity of the family legacy.
On this holy day, families come together and pray to Goddess Shashthi Devi, who is also known as Jyestha Devi, the god of children and longevity. The firstborn is given new clothes, and special dishes are prepared for this occasion. Enduri Pitha is a sweet dish which is made on this day and is the main delicacy of the auspicious festival.
On this day, the mother performs an aarti for the eldest child, praying to the gods to protect her child against all the evil and negativity. Other than Goddess Shashti Devi, Lord Ganesh is also worshipped. The eldest child is known as the ‘Jyeshtha Santan.’ They get a lot of love and gifts from their families. ‘Haldi Kathi’, a sacred yellow thread from the blessing of the gods, is tied around the wrist to safeguard them against all evils and have divine protection.
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