Prathamashtami Parba in Odisha

         PrathmAshtami (or Podhuan ashtami) parba(festival) is celebrated on Krushna pakhya ashtami of Margashira maasa(month). In ancient Odisha, the Margashira month was considered as the 1st month of the year.
On this day, the 1st born kid(Son or Daughter) wears new clothes and he/she is worshiped.
As per the culture, the new clothes are gifted by the uncle(mother's brother) of the child.
After wearing new clothes, the child takes blessings of the elders.
The reason for this festival for the elder child is that the elder one will take care of the family after father.

This festival is also linked to Lord Shiva of Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar. On this day, he travels to his maternal uncle's home, the Kapali Matha.

Enduri Pitha (a food item) is the specialty of Prathamashtami.
Please refer this to know about Enduri Pitha. http://ashishkumarnayakodisha.blogspot.in/2015/12/enduri-pitha-preparation-process-in.html
In some areas of Odisha, ashtami badi(a food item) is prepared in the quantity of 14.

In the night, Panthei (a structure on the ground) is prepared.
Panthei: There is a circular ditch on the ground. Surrounding it, there is a ditch of square shape. On one side there is an opening.
Water is poured in the Panthei.
Seven SukhuA(dry, salted fish) is tied with Poi(A weed) one by one and put in the circular ditch.
In the square shaped ditch, live fish is kept.

[The below pic is also of Panthei but it has openings to four sides and it is made during Baata Osha.]

Panthei during Baata Osha - P.C. Twitter - @tapasr10

After the puja, the sukhua and fish are left in the nearby pond.

The next day is Nabami(9th day). But in the same night around 9-10PM, there is the celebration of "KAnji AanLa Nabami". The KAnji (A food item) is prepared from ChAuLa (rice), Dahi (curd), Poi (A weed), KakhAru (Pumpkin), Bhendi (Ladies finger).
Then KAnji, Chakuli Pitha (A food item - rounded cake made of rice), MAcha tarakAri (Fish curry), are offered to God as prasad.

There is a specialty: The SukhuA(dry, salted fish) is called as "SukhuA Bohu (daughter-in-law)". And this is the only day when the mother-in-law touch the feet of daughter-in-law and take blessings from her. - I am not sure of the specialty of this ritual. :)

Thanks
Ashish