Gaja Manda (ଗଜ ମଣ୍ଡା) is a special type of Pitha and Tarana (ତରଣ), a special Bhoga offered to Lord Dhabaleswar (ବାବା ଧବଳେଶ୍ୱର) on Bada Osha (ବଡ଼ ଓଷା).
The BadaOsha rites began on the first day of Kartika Sukla Pratipada, which is the day after Diwali Amavasya.
On this occasion, both men and women fast together. It's a collaborative fasting, unlike previous festivals when only one person would fast.
The Gaja Pitha is almost the same as Manda Pitha, but mung beans along with grated coconut, ginger, etc. are stuffed inside.
N.B.: All these photographs are taken from Anuska Rath and Bandita Nayak and published here with their permission.
