Enduri Pitha #Mahaprasad #AToZChallenge

The food offering (bhoga/prasad) to Lord Jagannath is called Mahaprasad. 

There are varieties of Mahaprasad in the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri, Odisha. 

Some of them are listed in this blog post- 115 varieties of Mahaprasad.

Shreekhetra Puri is the "bhoga khetra".

It is the Dhaam where Shree Jagannatha, the Head of the Universe, eats.

Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha

In the culinary tradition of the Puri Temple, 'Chhapan Bhog' (56 Bhog) is a well-known name. 

However, the number of bhoga is much more than 56.

Enduri Pitha is a food item that is also listed. 

Three types of Enduri are mentioned namely- Enduri, Nakhyatra Enduri and Mua Enduri.

Six numbers of Enduri along with other bhog are offered every morning to the deities as the 'Sakala Dhupa'.

Yes! Each morning! 

Enduri Pitha is a part of the breakfast meal of the deities.

Enduri Pitha offered as Sakala Dhupa in Shree Jagannath Temple

Pitha - Dessert With A Twist

The state of Odisha in India has many festivals where amazing sweets and treats are prepared and served. Pitha is a sweet that is a common treat as every festival has some variety of Pitha. There are many types of Pithas based on the ingredients used and the preparation style. I love Muduka Pitha. 

Muduka Pitha of Odisha, India

Here is the recipe for the Muduka Pitha. 

Ingredients for the Muduka Pitha:

For the Dough:

4 cups Wheat Flour (Atta)

2 cups Sugar 

½ litre Refined Oil 

For the Stuffing:

1 cup Grated Coconut

½ cup Sugar

1 teaspoon Black Pepper

2 Cardamom

Prathamastami - Festival Of Odisha

Incredible India has some incredible festivals.

Odisha, a state of India, has some unique & interesting festivals.

Today is the eighth day in the Odia month of Margashira (8 days after Kartik Purnima). It is celebrated as Prathamastami. (Prathama means first & Astami means eighth day)

Prathamastami is celebrated in Odisha for the wellness, long-life & prosperity of the first-born or eldest child in a family. Gender is not an issue, qualification needed is one has to be the first-born child of her/his parents!

First-borns have some special privileges and are entrusted extra responsibilities in India. Being the eldest has its perks too - rewarded with extra “share” called the “Jyeshta-bhaga” (Part/share of the eldest).

Prathamastami makes the siblings jealous when the eldest sibling gets the attention & new clothes! Who doesn’t want new clothes, good food & special treatment?

Their argument- Why should the first-borns have all the fun? ;)

In some families of 4-5 members, where both the parents happen to be the first-born, a majority in the family is first-born! They celebrate Parthamastami for all their kids so that the younger ones don’t cry or feel left out!