Samba Dashami

Samba Dashami celebrated on the 10th day of the Sukla Paksha of Pausha Masa is a unique festival in Odisha dedicated to Sun God for the good health and long life of children . It is believed that Sun has the power to heal various diseases. This believe dates back to ancient times when  Samba,  son of Lord Krishna, who was cursed and afflicted by leprosy was cured by Surya, the Sun God, after 12 years of penance near Chandrabhaga Beach at Konark in Odisha.

“Sunshine is the most effective anti-infection therapy.”

What is interesting to note here is that thousands years ago , our ancestors knew about the curative power of Sun in addressing various skin diseases, which has now been confirmed by modern science. When the bacteria that cause leprosy are exposed to ultraviolet light, the procedure kills half of the bacteria. Therefore, sunlight has the power to fights various bacteria, by stopping them at the source.

Our customs and rituals are a way to inculcate values and discipline in our everyday life. Many women starts their day quite early and donot have the opportunity to get exposed to the goodness of sunlight . This festival and its unique rituals give the women folks an opportunity to bask in sunrays from sunrise to sunset, thereby getting enough  sunshine in the form of Vitamin D .

Rituals associated Samba Dashami

Another unique customs associated with this festival is when a child is born , a particular food item is promised to be offered to Sun God on the first Samba Dasami of the child. Thus, depending on the number of family members,  large number of offerings are made to Sun God. Every household has their own choice of offering.

Since this festival falls on winter month , hence a perfect time to savour the seasonal vegetables in the form of a mixed vegetable curry called Ghada Ghadia Ghanta which gets its name from the sound it creates while boiling the vegetables and is served piping hot before the Sun God. At least 7 vegetables or multiples of it are used to make this mixed winter vegetable dish .

Ghada Ghadia Ghanta

Ingredients for Ghada Ghadia Ghanta –

  • 1 cup Yam, peeled and cut into cubes
  • 1 cup pumpkin , peeled and cut into cubes
  • 1 cup Brinjal, cut into cubes
  • 1 raw Banana, peeled and cut into cubes and immerse in a bowl of turmeric water to prevent it from blackening
  • 1 cup radish, peeled and cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup long beans, cut into 1 inch long piece
  • 1 cup ridge gourd, peeled and cut into cubes
  • 1 cup pre soaked ( chana dal, yellow peas and Kabuli Chana or chole)
  • 8 to 10 fried badi ( dried black lentil dumplings)
  • 2 nos tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 inch ginger, crushed
  • 3 to 4 Green Chilies
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 nos Bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp jaggery

For Tempering:

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
  • 2 dry red chilis
  • 1 tbsp ghee
  • 1 tsp roasted cumin-chili powder
  • chopped fresh coriander leaves

Lets make this:

  • Add 1 cup water to a heavy bottomed vessel and add bay leaves ,salt and turmeric to it. Once it starts to boil, add the soaked chana dal, yellow peas and Kabuli Chana or chole to it.
  • Add the vegetables like yam, radish, pumpkin first as it takes time to cook and allow to boil for 3-4 mins, aftrer which add rest of the vegetables along with tomatoes and cover with a lid and allow it to cook till all vegetables are cooked.
  • Once the vegetables are cooked , add the crushed ginger and green chilies to it and cook for another 2 minutes. Add jaggery to it and switch off the gas.
  • Heat ghee in kadhai and add red chilies ,cumin and mustard seeds . Once it starts spluttering, add the boiled vegetables to it and mix. Add roasted cumin-chili powder and remove from flame.
  • Add the fried badis and chopped coriander leaves before serving.

From the legends of Samba to the varieties of  offerings made to Sun God, this festival  symbolizes how there is hope after every difficulty and no matter how bad the situations are , one can  find hope and healing just like Samba did. Thereby making this festival unique.