Bhubaneswar: After a day-long religious festival SRIUTSAV, of spreading social message of Lakshmi Purana, at different places throughout the globe, ends up, on 19th December,2019 with a state level closing ceremony at Panthanivas, Bhubaneswar. While the Lakshmi Purana is a Mythological Script enchanted to worship Goddess Lakshmi. Along with Bhubaneswar, Sri Utsav was also celebrated in the cities like Baripada, Baleswar, Bhanjanagar, Cuttack, Paradip, and other states, countries. In collaboration with OTDC, SRIUTSAV was organized with a basic idea of making this specifically homely puja to a public festival is to propagate the idea of social harmony and prosperity which will initiate a movement where this can Heave Prosperity for all, Uphold equality amongst gender and caste, Promulgate Cleanliness, Women Empowerment. To mark this event, Honble Minister of Revenue & Disaster Management Sri Sudam Marandi, praised the entire team of the Sri Utsav for its success. Honble Minister of Handloom Textile Smt Padmini Dian, spoke about connection between Lakshmi Purana and women empowerment and its importance in society. On the other hand, to the grace the function, Honble Chairperson, OTDC and noted speaker Sri Rajat Kar as Honble Guest discussed about how we can develop the Culture and History of Lakshmi Purana. While other guest like Sri Jyoti Prakash Panigrahi, Honble Minister, Tourism & Culture; Smt Padmini Dlan, Honble Minister, Handloom Textile, Sri Subhash Singh, Honble Chairperson, OB&OCWWB, Odisha, Ms. Shreemayee Sweta Snigdha Mishra. Advisors of SRIUTSAV, Sri Jagadananda and Sri Nishikanta Mishra were present to grace the function. During the discussion, Senior Speaker Sri Jagatananda shared his point of about how we can share the importance of Purana not only in this event but also in Rural and Urban areas. To make the people across globe know more about the Odisha culture, several interesting competition like Jhoti, Chita, Odia Pitha, including the story telling of Lakshmi Purana being held through Painting. At last the event winds up with beautiful Odishi Dance and Bhajan. Before this Utsav get off the ground, a ritual Agyanmala (Floral offer) to Goddess Lakshmi at Puri Sri Jagannaths and several other Lakshmi temples. As you know, the Lakshmi Purana, a Mythological Script written by the Great Odia Poet Balram Dasa in Fifteen Century, raises voice against the evil practices of Untouchability in society. It also stresses importance on feminism, and empowers the female power to resist male hegemony. It is perhaps the first attempt in India towards feminism and casteism. The Purana describes the social structures and gender inequality persisting in the society. In this Lakshmi Purana, puja is performed for Goddess Lakshmi on every Thursday of the month of Margasira (November – December) and this is known as Manabasa Gurubar. On the morning of Manabasa Gurubar, Oriya women wake up early in the morning and clean the house decorated the entrance with Jhoti to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. While Oriya scripture Mahalakshmi Purana is read on all Thursdays regional pot used to measure paddy is filled with freshly harvested paddy and is kept in the Puja area, which symbolizes prosperity. There is a popular belief that Goddess Lakshmi only visits clean houses. So all the dirt is removed and the houses are kept spick and span. Related Comments comments

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