Prathamastami is celebrated on the eighth day in the month of Margasira (November-December) and is one of the most popular festivals in
Orissa.
On this day, the eldest child of the family is honored. The ritual includes the mother or any other elderly lady wishing the child long-life and good health by praying 'Sasthi Debi', the Goddess who protects children. A special variety of cake called ‘enduri’ is prepared during the occasion.
The festival is an important occasion at the Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneswar. Here the deity is taken out in a palanquin to a tank called 'Papanasini' in the temple complex.
