Bada Osha 2025: Date, Time, Significance And Rituals Of This Sacred Festival Celebrated In Odisha

Bada Osha 2025 is a religious festival celebrated mainly in Odisha. This year, devotees are observing this festival on 4th November 2025. This sacred event is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. The fast of Bada Osha is mainly kept by men. During this festival, devotees observe vrata and pray to Lord Shiva for prosperity. This festival is mainly known as the festival of fasting and is celebrated in the Dhabaleshwar Temple with great enthusiasm. Bada Osha fast is observed on the 14th day or Chaturdashi tithi of Shukla Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik as per the Panchang.

Know the date, timings, significance and rituals associated with this sacred festival below:

Bada Osha 2025: Date And Time

Below are the details regarding the date and Chaturdashi tithi timings for Bada Osha:

- Bada Osha 2025 Date: 4th November 2025, Tuesday

- Chaturdashi Tithi Begins: 02:05 AM, 4th November 2025

- Chaturdashi Tithi Ends: 10:36 PM, 4th November 2025

Bada Osha 2025: Significance

The sacred fast of Bada Osha is celebrated by men and women alike. Observing fast on this auspicious day invites the blessings of Lord Shiva in numerous ways. Many legends are associated with observing the Bada Osha fast. One such legend suggests that once Lord Indra observed the Bada Osha fast at Dhabaleswar to free himself from Brahma's curse and attained salvation on the day of Kartik Purnima.

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Bada Osha is a sacred fast dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva. (Image Source: Canva) 

Another legend explains the tale of King Kritu of Utkal who was advised by a sage to observe the Bada Osha fast at Dhabaleswar with his queen after facing personal and political adversities. Performing this vrat related to Lord Shiva restored King Kritu’s health and kingdom. Therefore, these legends highlight the greatness of observing the Bada Osha fast by the devotees to receive the grace of Mahadev.

Bada Osha 2025: Rituals

The celebration of Bada Osha begins with the ceremonial inauguration of the temple's sanctum sanctorum at sunrise. Afterwards, Lord Dhabaleswar is bathed with 108 pitchers of water. Priests perform several rituals, such as Mangala Aarti and Mailama.

During the Bada Osha festivities, Baba Dhabaleshwar is dressed in a majestic lion costume known as Badasinghara Besha. Many devotees gather to have this unique darshan of Lord Shiva. The worshippers of Baba Dhabaleshwar observe a strict fast throughout the day without consuming food and water. Additionally, they offer prayers at Shiva temples and shrines across Odisha. Additionally, women wear new sarees on Bada Osha and observe a fast called Ekbar, which means eating rice once a day before, and fast throughout the day.

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A special offering is also prepared for Bada Osha which is known as Gaja Pitha or Gaja Manda. This bhog is offered to Lord Shiva. Gaj Bhog resembles white rasgullas and is associated with Lord Dhabaleswar Baba, as Dhabaleswar means white in Odisha. Gaja Pitha is a traditional bhog item which is prepared using raw rice flour or Arua Chula. This savoury dish is filled with coconut, jaggery, and other local ingredients. After the puja rituals are completed, the priests of Dhabaleshwar temple distribute the Gaja Pitha among devotees after offering it to the lord.