‘Manabasa Gurubar’ And Its Significance For Odias

‘Manabasa Gurubar’ And Its Significance For Odias

In the religious calendar of Odias, ‘Manabasa Gurubar’ holds a prominent place. The festival involves worship of Goddess Lakshmi on every Thursday of ‘Margasira’ month which begins just after Kartika Purnima. Manabasa Gurubar is celebrated with the belief that Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity, visit people’s homes in this month. The harvested paddy crops of Kharif season are worshipped and people pray for their families’ well-being.

My City Links brings to you some ‘must know’ facts associated with the rituals and traditions of this festival.

Religious Motifs

During this holy month, people decorate their houses with religious motifs called ‘Chita’ or ‘Jhoti’. The art is created with a liquid paste of raw rice and no colours are added. Mostly, womenfolk of households draw Lakshmi-Paada (feet of Goddess Lakshmi), Lotus and other beautiful designs on floors, walls and doorsteps of houses. ‘Chita’ is known as Alpana in West Bengal.

Ritual of Purity

Earlier when people used to live in kutcha houses, womenfolk cleaned their houses and smeared the walls with cow dung as it is believed that Goddess Laxmi never visits a house which is untidy. Religiously, the practice is regarded as a ritual of purity though it has a scientific significance – smearing cow dung keeps harmful and deadly insects, reptiles and germs away from houses. This theory is also relevant to ‘Chita’. However, this ritual is gradually losing its significance with rapid urbanization and our changing modern lifestyle.

Legend of Lakshmi Purana

On the day, womenfolk read Lakshmi Purana, the sacred text on which the legend of Manabasa Gurubar is based. As per the legend, Goddess Laxmi visited the home of Sriya Chandaluni, a low caste scavenger woman, after being pleased with her devotion. By doing this, Goddess Laxmi angered Lord Balaram and was later thrown out of the Sri Jagannath Temple by her husband Lord Jagannath. While leaving, the Goddess curses her husband and his brother Lord Balaram to suffer without food and water. Lakshmi Purana is the first text against the practice of untouchability and caste discrimination while speaking about women empowerment.

Traditional Odia Delicacies

Various Odia delicacies are prepared during Manabasa Gurubar. Kanika, Manda Pitha, Saga Bhaja, Chaula Kheeri, Chakuli Pitha, Chitau Pitha, Kakara Pitha, and Dalma are some of the traditional cuisines served as three-time offerings to the Goddess.