Odia Festival: "Samba Dashami" 2017 Date, Legend, Rituals, eGreeting Cards & Timeline

This year Samba Dasami ritual is going to be observed on - 28th December, 2017 (Thursday).

Samba Dashami is one of the ritual observed in Odisha, on the 10th day during the Shukla Paksha in Pausa month (December – January) as per Odia calendar. 

Samba Dashami Legend: (Input From Odisha.Gov.IN)

In Odisha it is said that 13 Oshas and Bratas are observed in 12 months as per traditional Odia calendar. Every festival has a legend which talks of some social significance. Legends of - Samba Dasami Brata Katha say that Samba, was the son of Lord Sri Krishna. 

Once he was affected by leprosy disease. In order to get rid of this deadly disease, Samba performed a severe penance of 12 years for - Surya Bhagwan (Sun God) and was cured immediately. From that day Samba Dasami ritual is observed in every Odia family of Odisha. Particularly, on this day mothers perform Surya Puja to please Surya Bhagawan to keep their children healthy.

"Samba Dashami" Timeline

Year	Date	Day
2017	28 December	Thursday
2017	08 January	Sunday
2016	19 January	Tuesday
2015 (2014)	31 December, 2014	Wednesday
2014	10 January	Friday
2013	21 January	Monday
2012	03 January	Tuesday
2011	15 January	Saturday
2010 (2009)	27 December, 2009	Sunday
2009	06 January	Tuesday
2008	18 January	Friday
2007 (2006)	29 December, 2006	Friday
2006	09 January	Monday

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Samba Dashami Rituals:

On this day, female folks of the family wake up early in the morning before sun rise. After bath, they prepare variety of food items like, -- Khichdi, Udiya Puli, Ghadghadia Tarkari and offer them to Sun God during sun rise. One of the specific characters of this ritual is variety of individual food item is offered to Sun God in the name of each member of the family, especially children.

After that female folks of the families go on preparing variety of Pitha (Cake) like; Manda Pitha, Kakara Pitha, Arisha Pitha, Biri Ladoo and other items like -- Makar Chaula, Chhenaguda,, Dhanu Muaan, sweet dishes like -- Khiri, Rasagola, Jhilli, Chhenagaja, Sweet Curd etc. all over the day. In the noon time, a bowl of turmeric water with a beetle in it is taken to ‘chaura mula’ (a small temple like structure with a Tulsi plant overhead). All the cooked foods are served in plates. Then female heads of the family see the face of Sun God through the bowl of turmeric water and offer all the cuisine to the God. They read the legend of ‘Samba Dasami Brata Katha’ and pray for the well-being of the whole family members.

Budha Chakuli

In the evening, another puja is observed as a part of Samba Dasami ritual. This is known as ‘Mahakala Puja’. Special Budha Chakuli and Ghadghadia Tarkari (an item prepared with fish, variety of Dal and other vegetables) are offered to Yama God. Along with all these rituals from early morning to late night, Samba Dasami puja is observed in Orissa.