Saptapuri is a seven layered confectionery offered to Lord Jagannath in Puri on a particular day of the year – the Saptapuri amavasya. This particular confectionery is steeped in Vedic and folk mythology across Odisha.
Saptapuri amavasya
The Saptapuri amavasya falls in the Hindu month of Bhadra and it is believed that the seven pitras or manes of Brahma were born on this day. These pitras are believed to be the father of all gods. The saptapuri amabasya is thus a day for paying homage to the ancestors and is observed across Odisha. According to Kalidasa, Valmiki had brought the pregnant and depressed Sita to his ashram in this day, after she was banished by Rama.
The local festivities are more in Koraput, Bolangir, Ganjam and Balasore districts and there are folk mythological significance attached to the day in these areas.
Food associated with saptapuri amavasya
It is one of the biggest local festivals in Koraput and every household makes seven different pitha are prepared and, offered to deity Sasthi, the goddess who look after the welfare of the children.
In Ganjam, women who observe this ritual, beg seven kinds of vegetables from neighbours and prepare a curry for their deity. The Saptapuri pitha in Berhampur of Ganjam, is not a confectionery but a halwa made of seven different ingredients, including wheat flour.
In Sonepur, Bolangir it is believed that before embarking upon Lanka, Rama began his worship of Durga on Saptapuri amavasya. Clay idols of seven essential kitchen items are worshipped on this day and pithas (sweetmeat) are offered to deity Sasthi.
In Balasore, it is believed that on this day, the Sadhabas set sail for trade & business to foreign countries. The women prepare seven different leafy greens for warding off evil.
Saptapuri and Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri
The 16th century Alamchandi Temple is one of the Shakta shrines of Puri and is located in the Kumbharapara area of Puri. Skanda Purana has a reference to Goddess Alamchandi residing in the northern side of the Jagannath Temple, Puri to protect the Ratnavedi. Alam Chandi is considered one of the Asthashaktis who protect the Shrikhestra.
On the day of Saptapuri amavasya, a tray of Saptapuri is sent from the Jagannath temple to Ma Alam Chandi as bhoga.
Saptapuri pitha
The Saptapuri pitha prepared in the Jagannath temple is a sweet confectionery that consists of seven layers of wheat flour dough encasing five layers of coconut filling. It is then deep fried resulting in a melt-in-mouth, crumbly, crunchy sweet treat. The layers in a cross section of a saptapuri pitha is a joy to watch.
