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!
