Dwitiyaha Osha and Ghanta Tarkari
As the saying goes, “Baramasare Tera Parba” (Thirteen festivals in twelve months). But when thought of deeply, it becomes evident that Odia women remain busy throughout the year observing various pujas, vows, oshas, and rituals.
The sheer number of festivals in Odisha is countless, and even attempting to list them all is a challenge. Adding to the variety are region-specific and local customs and traditions that make each celebration unique within different parts of the state.
One such unique ritual is Dwitiyaha Osha, a vow observed mainly in Western Odisha by married women wishing for the well-being of their sons. Celebrated on Aswina Krishna Ashtami, this osha involves the worship of Dwitibahana, the son of Surya Dev (Sun God), to pray for the prosperity and long life of sons or to be blessed with a son by women who don’t have one.
This vow is observed with a strict waterless fast (Nirjala Upabasa). On this occasion, married daughters often receive traditional food ingredients and items from their parental homes.
The next day, a special dish known as Ghanta Tarkari is prepared by combining all the food items received. This is a delicious and distinctive curry made by mixing various ingredients such as banana, old cucumber, yam, colocasia, ridge gourd, sour elephant apple, sweet potatoes, coconut, green gram, crab claws, and more. The dish is distributed among friends, neighbors, and relatives.
This observance of Dwitiyaha Osha and the preparation of Ghanta Tarkari beautifully reflect the essence of authentic Odia rituals and culinary tradition.
