Tuhina Sahoo
Bhubaneswar, Nov 21: Today, as the married women of Odisha observe Manabasa Gurubar Prathama Pali, many are busy praying to Maa Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. The occasion is marked by rituals and devotion aimed at inviting divine blessings into the home, ensuring prosperity for the family.
In Odisha, the four Thursdays in the month of Margashira are dedicated to this special worship, with each Thursday being called Prathama Pali, Dwitiya Pali, Trutiya Pali, and Chaturtha Pali. This year, the four Thursdays fall on November 21, November 28, December 5, and December 12. The first Thursday, Prathama Pali, holds particular significance as it is believed to bring the Goddess into the home, ensuring wealth and abundance.
On these days, married women wake up early, take a ritual bath, and adorn themselves in new white and red sarees—symbols of purity and devotion. As it is believed that Maa Lakshmi only visits a clean home, women scrub and sweep their houses to prepare for her arrival. Once their homes are spotless, they begin decorating the entrance and doorsteps with 'jhoti' or 'chitta', intricate patterns made with rice paste. The designs, often representing the lotus or the feet of Goddess Lakshmi, are considered auspicious and a sign of good fortune.
But do you know why, during the ‘Prathama Pali’ (November 21) of Manabasa Gurubar, Rangoli or Muruja is used instead of ‘Jhoti’ and Chita—which are made of rice paste?
According to Dr Naresh Dash, a researcher in the Jagannath cult, “As the prathama pali fell before Prathamastami –this pali is known as ‘Alagi Pali’ and Maa Laxmi loves ‘Jhoti’ and ‘Chitta.’ Infact, in this pali only fruits will be offered to Mahalaxmi instead of cooked food.”
“As it is an ‘Alagi Pali’, many people observe the Prathama Pali on the following Thursday (November 28),” he added.
