Today, married women across Odisha celebrate Sudasha Brata, a unique ritual dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. This festival holds significance when Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon), Thursday, and Dasami coincide. The day begins with women fasting for the well-being of their families, followed by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi. Preceding the puja, homes are meticulously cleaned and adorned with intricate rice paste designs called Jhoti Chita. The puja commences during Brahma Muhurta (between 2 am and 4 am), symbolizing the auspicious visit of Goddess Lakshmi. During the puja, offerings include 10 ‘Manda Pithas’ (steamed cakes) and a sacred thread tied around the right arm, signifying tenfold blessings. Women wear sarees, typically in white and red or yellow hues, for the occasion.

The puja’s distinctiveness lies in its emphasis on the number ten, with offerings ranging from flowers, lotus petals, fruits, and chhena bhog. Sudasa Brata Puja unfolds in three phases throughout the day, accompanied by specific offerings such as mashed chhena mixed with banana, coconut, and jaggery. Central to the ritual is the reading of the ‘Sudasa Brata’ Katha, symbolizing devotion and spiritual reverence. Sudasha Brata exemplifies Odia tradition’s rich tapestry, blending devotion, symbolism, and familial bonds in a celebration of faith and culture