Celebrate Manabasa Gurubara: Goddess Lakshmi’s Eternal Blessings
Manabasa Gurubara is a unique and sacred festival celebrated in Odisha. It is devoted to the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi. Observed on Thursdays in the Hindu month of Margashira (November-December), this festival holds great significance for Odia households, particularly among women who seek the blessings of Maa Lakshmi for prosperity and well-being. The celebration, rooted in religious customs, encourages equality and social harmony while advancing cleanliness, discipline, and virtue.
The Legend Behind Manabasa Gurubara
The ancient Odia text Lakshmi Purana, written by the revered saint-poet Jagannath Das, traces the origins of this festival. The text narrates the divine acts of Goddess Lakshmi and emphasizes values like devotion, humility, and righteousness. According to legend, Goddess Lakshmi visited the homes of those who maintained cleanliness and adhered to righteous conduct, regardless of their social status. She particularly blessed the humble and hardworking devotees while punishing those who exhibited arrogance and greed.
The story also highlights the devotion of a poor woman named Sriya Chandaluni, whom Goddess Lakshmi blessed despite her low social status for her unwavering faith and virtue. This act led to a conflict between Lord Jagannath and His brother Balabhadra, resulting in Lakshmi’s temporary departure from the Jagannath Temple in Puri. The mythological tale powerfully teaches humility, cleanliness, and righteousness, emphasizing that divine grace is earned through moral conduct rather than material wealth or social hierarchy.
Rituals and Observances of Manabasa Gurubara
- Early Morning Preparations: The festival begins with devotees waking up early and thoroughly cleaning their homes. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi enters only tidy and well-kept homes. To represent the elimination of negativity and the welcome of prosperity, women go to great lengths to keep the entire house immaculate.
- Jhoti Chita (Rangoli Designs): One of the most visually striking aspects of Manabasa Gurubara is the creation of Jhoti Chita, or rice flour rangoli, at the entrance of homes and courtyards. Women skillfully design these intricate patterns, symbolizing prosperity and inviting Goddess Lakshmi to bless the household. The Mana (a traditional paddy-measuring vessel) is also decorated with these designs, signifying agricultural abundance and gratitude for nature’s gifts.
- Offering of New Harvest: Manabasa Gurubara is a festival closely associated with wealth and prosperity. It involves offerings of freshly harvested rice, which symbolizes gratitude to Goddess Lakshmi for a bountiful yield. Women place the Mana filled with grains on a wooden pedestal and offer prayers, seeking divine blessings for continued abundance and well-being.
- Recitation of Lakshmi Purana: A crucial aspect of the festival is the recitation of the Lakshmi Purana. Women gather to chant verses from this sacred text, reinforcing the values of kindness, humility, and devotion. The recitation reminds people that righteousness and good deeds lead to divine grace, regardless of social standing.
- Special Bhoga (Prasad) Preparation: Among the unique offerings that devotees make as part of the ceremonies are Kheer, a creamy rice pudding prepared with milk, rice, and sugar; Manda Pitha, a steamed rice cake filled with coconut and jaggery; and Arisa Pitha, a crispy rice flour pancake sweetened with jaggery. Devotees present these treats to Goddess Lakshmi before sharing them as prasad among family members to symbolize heavenly benefits and harmony within the community.
- Observing Fasting: Many women observe a day-long fast, breaking it only after completing the rituals. The fast symbolizes devotion, self-discipline, and sacrifice, demonstrating unwavering faith in the Goddess. Through fasting, devotees seek divine blessings for prosperity and harmony within their households.
- Lighting of Diyas: As evening descends, homes are illuminated with oil lamps and diyas to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. These lamps’ gentle radiance represents the eradication of ignorance and darkness and the arrival of wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual enlightenment.
Social and Cultural Significance
- Promoting Cleanliness and Discipline: One of the core teachings of Manabasa Gurubara is the emphasis on cleanliness. The festival encourages people to maintain a clean and organized household, attracting positivity and prosperity. This practice aligns with broader societal values, promoting hygiene and orderliness in daily life.
- Empowerment of Women: Women predominantly observe Manabasa Gurubara, highlighting their pivotal role in maintaining harmony within families and society. Through their devotion and observance of rituals, women uphold their role as custodians of prosperity and well-being. The festival serves as a celebration of their spiritual and cultural contributions.
- Fostering Equality and Inclusion: One of the most progressive messages of the Lakshmi Purana is its challenge to the rigid caste system. The scripture underscores Goddess Lakshmi blesses anyone devoted, irrespective of caste or economic status. This powerful message of equality remains relevant in contemporary society, promoting inclusivity and social harmony.
- Reviving Agricultural Traditions: As an agrarian festival, Manabasa Gurubara deeply connects to farming traditions. Devotees offer the new harvest to the Goddess, underscoring the importance of gratitude and respect toward nature. This practice reminds people of the interdependence between human life and the natural world, fostering a sense of environmental consciousness.
Manabasa Gurubara in Modern Times
Despite changing lifestyles, the essence of Manabasa Gurubara remains intact. Rural and urban households in Odisha continue to uphold the age-old traditions associated with the festival. While people once confined the festival to individual homes, they now organize community gatherings and participate in digital recitations of the Lakshmi Purana.
With the rise of social media, devotees now share their festive preparations, Jhoti Chita designs, and rituals online, fostering a sense of collective celebration. Various organizations hold group Lakshmi Purana recitations, spreading the festival’s spiritual and moral teachings to a broader audience. The digital era has helped preserve and promote this cultural tradition, ensuring it remains relevant for future generations.
Final Thoughts
Manabasa Gurubara is more than a festival; it embodies devotion, discipline, and righteousness. Rooted in values of cleanliness, humility, and gratitude, it promotes ethical living and social harmony. Whether celebrated in villages or adapted to urban settings, it remains a vital part of Odisha’s heritage, inspiring generations. Bringing families together, strengthening faith, and emphasizing prosperity through righteousness, the festival highlights Goddess Lakshmi’s blessings on those upholding virtue. As traditions evolve, its core message endures, guiding devotees toward morality, unity, and abundance with sincerity and devotion.
