SAMBALPUR: Festive mood gripped Western Odisha on Friday with celebration of ‘Pua Juintia’, a traditional festival which celebrates the special bond between mother and her children. Also known as ‘Dutibahana Ossa’, the mothers fast throughout the day for the well-being of their children. Pua Juintia is observed on Ashwina Krushna Pakhya Astami (eighth day of dark fortnight of Ashwina month as per the Odia calendar).
Fasting for the entire day, the mothers worship Lord Dutibahana in an open space decorated with Aam Taran (mango leaves) and flowers. The offerings include 108 duba (strands of green grass), 108 unbroken arua rice (non-boiled rice), juinta (thread), jugar (made of puffed paddy) and tikhri (made of moong dal).
The next day they take a holy dip in a waterbody and perform a set of rituals on the banks before breaking the fast on Navami morning. After breaking the fast, the mothers will prepare a special dish of 21 types of vegetables and fruits.