The eldest child shapes up the family
Today is Prathamastami, a special ritual observed at my place for the lifespan and prosperity of the eldest child. The eldest child gets most attention in a family, but with that comes greater responsibility. At my place, people use to say, the eldest child plays the role of next to father, and I have seen many such live examples, where the eldest child sacrifices all his comfort for the goodwill of younger ones. Especially when everyone has their own family, a lot of conflict tends to happen, but then the eldest child plays the role of Yudhisthira (or Dharmaraja) from the epic Mahabharata, having very high morals and taking the right and truthful step, being impartial. The eldest child wears new clothes and then the mother offers lighted lamp ovation, after performing the rituals and offering the special Enduri pitha to God.
Enduri pitha is a cake made specific on this occasion, using turmeric leaves to wrap the ingredients and then steaming it. For that reason, turmeric leaves arrive in the market couple of days before and this time, I got some nice ones from a farmer directly, as I had gone to my native to help my parents celebrate Chhadakhai, eating non-veg after the holy month. Last year, there was such a scarcity of turmeric leaves that, one bunch of leaves (having 4-5) was sold at 100/-. This year there is abundance, so I got 6 bunch at only 50/, so almost only one rupee for leaf. Once upon a time, we used to have a lot of turmeric plants at our backward, but over time there are very less, and Mom uses them. We are planning to put some this year, preparing for next year. Usually the maternal uncle sends all the necessary items for this ritual, but since she is the only child ( and eldest as well), I had to come to celebrate this.
The yellow leaves are the best having maximum flavor of turmeric.
The batter (using black gram and newly harvested rice) was prepared in the night to ferment well by morning, making the cake very soft.
The sweet stuff was made ready using Chhena (fresh, soft, unripened cheese), coconut and jaggery. A little black pepper is also added.
Then the batter is wrapped in turmeric leaves, adding the sweet stuff inside and steamed in a container. In our childhood, Mom used to use big earthen pots, but gone are those days. We used the idly container to steam it. Ghee (Home made) is added on the turmeric leave, to add to taste and help to take the leave out easily, once its ready.
Turmeric leaves not only has a special flavor, it is very good for health as well, so we will continue eating this for few days, as long as all the leaves are exhausted.
She prepared everything in the morning and performed the ritual at home.
Our rituals are designed to keep us busy and happy - a reason to celebrate and good food, one after another - look at these eldest kids.
The boy is becoming responsible and if he clicks the entrance this year, then may be he will be outside next year and we will have to visit - but the festival cannot be stopped as this is the one and only one in a year.
And me and my daughter were desperately waiting for our delicious stake :)
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Happy Prathamastami Sir and your Son. ପୁଅକୁ କଣ ଗିଫ୍ଟ ଦେଲେ?
Jhoti Chita, Prathamastami, light ovation, etc. I can't ask for anything better than this to evoke a sense of duty, celebration, responsibility, and cultural compliance. When kids grow up, they carry forward this legacy and make it chain-linked from one generation to the other. That's precisely the quintessence of this culture.
turmeric leaves are used on purpose, because it has medicinal benefits, and its flavor is transferred to ଏଣ୍ଡୁରୀ ପିଠା during the process of steaming. Its taste is awesome.
Thank you.
Jai Jagannath
🙏🙏🙏
That's the beauty of our culture. No special gift for him, new dress is done of course, but then, I have given him full freedom to decide what he needs, and he is focused on studies this year and does not need anything.
That's good. Building career and staying focused on studies is paramount in this age.
Happy Prathamastami dear.. wishing you all best of health and happiness..best wishes.🙏🙏
Thank you dear.
I do cherish most of your rituals sir
Also, each eldest child of every family deserved to be prayed for because we look up to them as our role model and more also a greater responsibilities lies on their shoulders.
Yes, the eldest child needs to have high moral.
Yes, I do agree with you, a lot of hopeful expectations are needed from them.
You seem to have some kind of festival or event every day of the year! Does this stop once he leaves home? I hope your daughter has her own special day and cake too!
No, it should continue, if he cannot come or we cannot go, then we ask them to wear new dress and go to a temple and seek the blessings. Daughter has special functions, in fact, there are more for woman. Festivals are meant to keep us lively, that is why, we have so many, almost more than one every month.
Okay that is good to know. Being kept lively is what everyone should be, so that is a great idea and glad to hear your daughter has special functions too!
It is great to know about the different rituals of my country, may your son have healthy wealthy long life...
Thank you so much.
How great that this year there is an abundance of turmeric leaves and they pay a more reasonable price, although it would be great if they produced their own plants
What a beautiful tradition, I love the benefits and responsibilities that the eldest son has in your culture
Thank you very much dear friend @sanjeevm for sharing your cultures with us
Have a beautiful weekend
Thank you so much, we are planning to plant turmeric for next year, let's see.
@tipu curate
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!BBH
प्रथमास्टमी की हार्दिक बधाई और बड़ा बेटा आपका उन्नति के पथ पर चले और सदैव स्वस्थ्य रहे
I’d love to tell you that there will be a Diwali celebration here in Nigeria
Maybe it was organized by the Indians in Nigeria
It should be fun☺️
This is how it should be as a friend in all cultures of the world that we older brothers have the responsibility and obligation not only to help our parents but also our brothers so that they have a complete development in life.
The eldest child of each family is just like a root or maybe a stem and the it is always good to wish them a long life
They are the ones who unites the family
What a charming ritual !!
#hive #posh
We don't have a celebration for eldest son, but it's indeed expected much from the older... A celebration is a good idea, often deserved