The eldest child shapes up the family

Today is Prathamastami, a special ritual observed at my place for the lifespan and prosperity of the eldest child. The eldest child gets most attention in a family, but with that comes greater responsibility. At my place, people use to say, the eldest child plays the role of next to father, and I have seen many such live examples, where the eldest child sacrifices all his comfort for the goodwill of younger ones. Especially when everyone has their own family, a lot of conflict tends to happen, but then the eldest child plays the role of Yudhisthira (or Dharmaraja) from the epic Mahabharata, having very high morals and taking the right and truthful step, being impartial. The eldest child wears new clothes and then the mother offers lighted lamp ovation, after performing the rituals and offering the special Enduri pitha to God.

Enduri pitha is a cake made specific on this occasion, using turmeric leaves to wrap the ingredients and then steaming it. For that reason, turmeric leaves arrive in the market couple of days before and this time, I got some nice ones from a farmer directly, as I had gone to my native to help my parents celebrate Chhadakhai, eating non-veg after the holy month. Last year, there was such a scarcity of turmeric leaves that, one bunch of leaves (having 4-5) was sold at 100/-. This year there is abundance, so I got 6 bunch at only 50/, so almost only one rupee for leaf. Once upon a time, we used to have a lot of turmeric plants at our backward, but over time there are very less, and Mom uses them. We are planning to put some this year, preparing for next year. Usually the maternal uncle sends all the necessary items for this ritual, but since she is the only child ( and eldest as well), I had to come to celebrate this.

The yellow leaves are the best having maximum flavor of turmeric.

The batter (using black gram and newly harvested rice) was prepared in the night to ferment well by morning, making the cake very soft.

The sweet stuff was made ready using Chhena (fresh, soft, unripened cheese), coconut and jaggery. A little black pepper is also added.

Then the batter is wrapped in turmeric leaves, adding the sweet stuff inside and steamed in a container. In our childhood, Mom used to use big earthen pots, but gone are those days. We used the idly container to steam it. Ghee (Home made) is added on the turmeric leave, to add to taste and help to take the leave out easily, once its ready.

Turmeric leaves not only has a special flavor, it is very good for health as well, so we will continue eating this for few days, as long as all the leaves are exhausted.

She prepared everything in the morning and performed the ritual at home.

Our rituals are designed to keep us busy and happy - a reason to celebrate and good food, one after another - look at these eldest kids.

The boy is becoming responsible and if he clicks the entrance this year, then may be he will be outside next year and we will have to visit - but the festival cannot be stopped as this is the one and only one in a year.

And me and my daughter were desperately waiting for our delicious stake :)

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