Mānabasā Gurubāra is a festival celebrated by Hindus in Odisha.
In this festival Goddess Lakshmi is the presiding deity. It is believed by the people that the goddess Herself comes to every household and removes pain and sorrow. It is held on every Gurubara (Thursday) in the month of Margasira or Magusura (The 8th month of Odia calendar, which is in November-December).
It is believed that the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Devi Lakshmi visit homes in this month.
There is a popular belief that Goddess Laxmi only visits clean houses. So all the dirt is removed and the houses are kept spick and span.
This is observed for the prosperity of the family and the long life of the family members. This is an important festival as it is the harvest season when the grain is thrashed and stored. The harvest of the Kharif season is worshipped as goddess Lakshmi on these Thursdays.
In this festival Goddess Lakshmi is the presiding deity. It is believed by the people that the goddess Herself comes to every household and removes pain and sorrow. It is held on every Gurubara (Thursday) in the month of Margasira or Magusura (The 8th month of Odia calendar, which is in November-December).
It is believed that the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Devi Lakshmi visit homes in this month.
There is a popular belief that Goddess Laxmi only visits clean houses. So all the dirt is removed and the houses are kept spick and span.
This is observed for the prosperity of the family and the long life of the family members. This is an important festival as it is the harvest season when the grain is thrashed and stored. The harvest of the Kharif season is worshipped as goddess Lakshmi on these Thursdays.
Manabasa is generated from the word Mana, which is a measurement unit (same as Acre) in Odisha.
During this auspicious month, the women folk wake up very early in the morning and clean the house with broom-sticks, for it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi would never visit the house if the house is dirty and untidy. The entrances as well as the door step of the house are plastered with either cow-dung paste or red soil and the house is decorated with aesthetically designed motifs called Chita using the ground semi liquid rice paste or pithau or ana.
During this auspicious month, the women folk wake up very early in the morning and clean the house with broom-sticks, for it is believed that Goddess Lakshmi would never visit the house if the house is dirty and untidy. The entrances as well as the door step of the house are plastered with either cow-dung paste or red soil and the house is decorated with aesthetically designed motifs called Chita using the ground semi liquid rice paste or pithau or ana.
The white jhoti or chita is created on a smearing of red earth. Once these jhotis are created one walks around them and does not walk over them as they are offerings to the goddess Lakshmi. Also after the completion of the festival or the special occasion, these are not swept away with a broom, but are wiped clean with a wet cloth. Popular contents of ‘Jhoti’ include Lakshmi-Paada, footprint of Maa Lakshmi, Lotus, Her favourite flower and other beautiful creations. They draw footprints because it is invitation to the godess lakshmi to visit their home.
On a low table called Khatuli, some newly harvested paddy grains of white colour are spread. Gauni (a measuring pot made of cane) is filled with grains and is placed on the low table called Khatuli. They use Gauni, because it symbolize the Prosperity. Three betel nuts washed in turmeric water are placed on the top of the Mana-Dhana. Vegetables, flowers (mainly white and yellow coloured flowers) and Red coloured cloth are kept just as a general woman wears Saree.
On a low table called Khatuli, some newly harvested paddy grains of white colour are spread. Gauni (a measuring pot made of cane) is filled with grains and is placed on the low table called Khatuli. They use Gauni, because it symbolize the Prosperity. Three betel nuts washed in turmeric water are placed on the top of the Mana-Dhana. Vegetables, flowers (mainly white and yellow coloured flowers) and Red coloured cloth are kept just as a general woman wears Saree.
Then women invoke Mahalakshmi with lamp and incense and offer three offerings of meals in puja such as Kanika, Dalma, Saga Bhaja, Kheeri, Dahi Pakhala, Budha Chakuli, Kakara, Matha Kakara, Bara and etc.
It is a popular belief that Prasad of Goddess Lakshmi is not shared with outsiders and consumed only by the original family members (Bhanaja-Bhaniji can take). It is a custom to recite the Lakshmi Purana, written by ancient poet Balaram Das, while performing the puja.
It is a popular belief that Prasad of Goddess Lakshmi is not shared with outsiders and consumed only by the original family members (Bhanaja-Bhaniji can take). It is a custom to recite the Lakshmi Purana, written by ancient poet Balaram Das, while performing the puja.
Story
The Legend of Manabasa Gurubar is based on the ancient scripture of “Lakshmi Puran”.
The untouchables were not allowed to pray, worship and do rituals to God in the ancient ages. At that time Sriya (a scavenger Low caste or untouchables woman) dares to pray and worship and wins over the support of Goddess Lakshmi. She got moved so much by seeing this that, she ends discrimination on earth by encouraging even untouchables to conduct rituals and worship. But this was not acceptable to Lord Balabhadra.
And the real story begins when Lakshmi got separated by Lord Jagannath at the behest of his brother Balabhadra.
As Lakshmi leaves the temple, and avenges the insult by Shrimandir, Her husband and elder brother-in-law to go through a prolonged ordeal without food, water or shelter. The curse of Lakshmi had a severe impact on both the brothers for 12 years and they had a tough time. Soon they realised the importance of Lakshmi and were keen to bring her back to their home. Lakshmi returned to Jagannath’s house on one condition that ‘There will be no discrimination of caste and creed on earth.’
This unique story highlights the fact that God is equal for everyone. The story not only draws an attention towards Castism but also gives an inspiration towards Women Empowerment.
The Purana raises voice against the evil practices of Untouchability in society. It also stresses importance on feminism, and empowers the female power to resist male hegemony. It gives message to the society that women should be respected, given proper attention and care. A house becomes home only due to a woman. This is the reason why women are considered as the Lakshmi of a home. When a woman is disrespected all the glory and happiness vanishes from the house. It reflected the reforms and progressive stance of Gods from the ancient times. The other message is of social equality, that everyone has the right to become wealthy and gain fortunes by their hard work and diligence and that social structure based on caste and discrimination of people is an unfortunate man made procedure. This unique story highlights the fact that in the eyes of the creator, everyone is equal.
And the real story begins when Lakshmi got separated by Lord Jagannath at the behest of his brother Balabhadra.
As Lakshmi leaves the temple, and avenges the insult by Shrimandir, Her husband and elder brother-in-law to go through a prolonged ordeal without food, water or shelter. The curse of Lakshmi had a severe impact on both the brothers for 12 years and they had a tough time. Soon they realised the importance of Lakshmi and were keen to bring her back to their home. Lakshmi returned to Jagannath’s house on one condition that ‘There will be no discrimination of caste and creed on earth.’
This unique story highlights the fact that God is equal for everyone. The story not only draws an attention towards Castism but also gives an inspiration towards Women Empowerment.
The Purana raises voice against the evil practices of Untouchability in society. It also stresses importance on feminism, and empowers the female power to resist male hegemony. It gives message to the society that women should be respected, given proper attention and care. A house becomes home only due to a woman. This is the reason why women are considered as the Lakshmi of a home. When a woman is disrespected all the glory and happiness vanishes from the house. It reflected the reforms and progressive stance of Gods from the ancient times. The other message is of social equality, that everyone has the right to become wealthy and gain fortunes by their hard work and diligence and that social structure based on caste and discrimination of people is an unfortunate man made procedure. This unique story highlights the fact that in the eyes of the creator, everyone is equal.
Only in the end through Narad it is revealed that Jagannath to end cast-ism and discrimination from this earth. He had himself “set up” these series of events. This eclectic attitude prevails upon the service-pattern of Shrimandir (Jagannath Temple, Puri) where the devotees irrespective of caste partake of the Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath together..
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