Sudasha Brata Rituals

Sudasha Brata Rituals

Detailed Sudasha Brata Rituals (Sudasa Brata / Sudasha Vrata Puja Vidhi)

Sudasha Brata is a sacred fast and puja observed exclusively by married women in Odisha. It is dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi for the well-being, prosperity, health, and happiness of the entire family. The word “Sudasha” means “good fortune” or “ten auspicious aspects,” and the number 10 is central to every ritual.

It is observed only when Shukla Paksha Dashami tithi (10th day of the waxing moon) falls on a Thursday. There may be multiple such days in a year, or none.

1. Preparation the Previous Day / Early Morning

• Thoroughly clean the entire house (Lakshmi resides only in clean homes).
• Draw beautiful Jhoti/Chita (rice-paste designs) on floors and walls, especially Lakshmi’s footprints at the main entrance and puja area.
• Women take a ritual bath early morning using turmeric paste (haldi).
• Wear clean clothes — preferably a yellow saree or white-red saree (jorana/joriti with lotus motifs).

2. Timing of Puja

• Ideally begin at Brahma Muhurta (2:00 AM – 4:00 AM) before sunrise, because it is believed Maa Lakshmi herself visits devoted homes at this hour.
• If not possible, perform during early morning hours.

3. Puja Samagri (All items preferably in sets of 10)

• 10 varieties of flowers
• 1 ten-petalled lotus (dasa-pakhuda padma) drawn with rice paste
• 10 Manda Pithas (steamed rice cakes)
• 10 seasonal fruits
• 10 balls of Chenna Chakata / Chenna Bhog
• 10 duba grass (durva)
• 10 amla / bara-koli (Indian gooseberry) leaves
• 10 rice grains (akshyata)
• White sacred thread (brata suta) – 10 strands/layers
• Kalash (copper or brass pot)
• Paddy grains (dhana)
• Mango twig with exactly 10 leaves
• 1 green coconut (paida / dahi)
• Naali saalu cloth (red-bordered white cloth)
• Kajal paati + Sindura pharua
• Khatuli (small wooden pedestal)
• Idol/photo of Lakshmi-Narayan
• Haldi, kumkum, chandan, sindoor, panchamrit, ghee, incense, jhunaa (frankincense), 10-wick lamp (dasa-mukhi deepa)
• Sudasha Brata Katha book

4. Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi

Step 1: Paada Puja (Welcoming Maa Lakshmi’s Feet) After bath, clean all the drawn Lakshmi footprints (chita) at the entrance and inside the house. Place a small amount of cow dung + duba grass + rice grains + bara-koli leaves on each footprint while invoking the Goddess.

Step 2: Altar Setup

• In the puja room, spread paddy grains.
• Place the kalash filled with water on the paddy.
• On the kalash, keep a mango twig with exactly 10 leaves.
• Place a green coconut wrapped in naali saalu cloth on top, then flowers.
• Add kajal paati and sindura pharua.
• Place the Lakshmi-Narayan idol/photo on the khatuli (pedestal).
• Give Her a holy bath with haldi water and panchamrit.
• Apply chandan and sindoor.
• Offer flowers.

Step 3: Draw Dasa-Pakhuda Padma & Light Lamps Draw a 10-petalled lotus in front of the pedestal with rice paste. Light a dasa-mukhi deepa (10-wick lamp with ghee) + regular diyas + incense + jhunaa.

Step 4: Sankalpa & Main Worship Sit facing east or north. Take sankalpa (vow) for the family’s prosperity. Offer 10 varieties of flowers, chandan, kumkum, etc., while chanting Lakshmi mantras or “Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Mahalakshmyai Namah”.

Step 5: Sudasha Brata Thread Tying (Most Important Ritual)

• Take the white sacred thread (10 strands).
• Give it a ritual bath in turmeric water.
• Tie it on the right upper arm (or wrist) while chanting the 10 names of Maa Lakshmi, making one knot for each name:

• Tie it on the right upper arm (or wrist) while chanting the 10 names of Maa Lakshmi, making one knot for each name:

This thread remains tied until the next Sudasha Brata (when it is replaced with a new one).

Step 6: Three Phases of Offerings (Bhog) The uniqueness of this brata is the three-phase puja:

1. Prabhat Kaal (Early Morning – Baala Bhog) Offer 10 balls of Chenna Chakata (mashed cottage cheese mixed with banana, grated coconut, jaggery, curd, milk, etc.).
2. Madhyana Purbe (Before Noon) Offer 10 Manda Pithas (steamed rice-jaggery cakes).
3. Sandhya Purbe (Before Evening) Offer Chenna Panaa (sweet drink made of chenna, banana, milk, etc.).

Step 7: Aarti, Katha & Conclusion

• Perform aarti with camphor and dasa-mukhi deepa.
• Read the full Sudasha Brata Katha (the story of King Nala and Queen — very important).
• Offer prasad to family members only after sunset/evening.

5. Fasting Rules (Niyama)

• Full-day fast (women usually observe strict fast; some take fruits/milk).
• Break the fast only after evening puja and prasad.
• No sleeping during daytime, no anger/arguments, keep the house peaceful and clean.

6. Important Do’s & Don’ts (to please Maa Lakshmi)

Do’s

• Keep house spotlessly clean.
• Light diya morning & evening.
• Speak softly, maintain harmony.
• Respect all women.