It is often said that fear gives rise to religion, with most religions containing an element of fear. This practice isn't a modern invention but has its roots in ancient times. In the past, when natural forces were seen as wild and uncontrollable, people would create symbolic representations of them and offer worship. They believed that by honoring these fierce aspects of nature, they could prevent them from causing harm. Over time, various deities emerged, each linked to different fears or needs, and were worshipped according to distinct rituals. One such figure was Jama, the god of death, whose veneration was thought to shield people from premature or unnatural deaths.
On the seventh day (Saptami) of the Krushna Pakshya in the month of Ashwina, Dutia Osha or DutiBahana Osha is celebrated. The following day is Ashtami, also known as Mulashtami. Typically, married women with husbands observe fasting on this day. The other name for this Osha is Jimuta Bahanaa Upavasa. In some regions, sisters also fast during this Osha for the well-being of their brothers.
On the Saptami day of Ashwina Masa Krushna Pakshya, women observe Ekabara and perform the rituals of the Osha. They prepare dishes using various vegetables, except for Leutia Saga, and make khiri and pitha. In the evening, they bathe and worship Ganga Mata. At night, they offer fruit to DutiBahana and listen to the folklore associated with the Osha. Women participating in this Osha clean the riverbank or pond area and draw images of an eagle and a jackal on the sand. They also offer two toothbrushes made from the Apamaranga herb, along with incense (dhupa) and lamps (dipa), and worship the two animals. They then dress in traditional attire, clean an area with cow dung water, and place the prepared dishes there. These offerings, known as naivedya, are presented to DutiBahana. The food is later distributed among relatives and children.
On the night of Saptami, women remember the eagle and the jackal, and on the following morning, they return to the place where the images were drawn. After bathing, they fast the entire day, refraining from even a drop of water. In the evening, they purify the area again and create a square enclosure called a Kothi. They remove sand from all four sides, leaving the center intact, resembling an island if water surrounds it. The Kothi should be at least two hand lengths. A Tulsi plant is placed in the center, along with a banana tree. If a woman is childless, Basa and Jui stems are planted as well. Colorful powders are used to create mandalas, and an image of the Sun god is drawn. The images of the eagle and the jackal are placed in the west, and DutiBahana is worshipped. Around 21 types of vegetables and pulses are placed in a basket, topped with a new cloth, and set near the worship area. Kaudi(Cowry) and 84 areca nuts (Guas) are also scattered inside the square. With these rituals, Dutia Osha is completed. The offerings are not consumed by the women and must be prepared before dawn. They bathe and cook a dish called ghanta using the vegetables and pulses offered during the Osha, which is then distributed to others.
In general, women who wish for a child or a son observe this Osha. Mothers also perform it for the long life of their children. If someone narrowly escapes danger or an accident, people often say, 'Your mother must have done the Dutia Osha for you; that's why you were spared.' Mothers with sons observe this Osha to remove the Chandra Dosha (malefic influence of the moon). Just as moon worship is essential for counteracting the negative effects of the moon during childbirth, this Osha is linked to the worship of the Sun god.
This Osha is also known as Puajiuntia Osha, where 'Pua' means son and 'Jiuntia' means life. There is a legend associated with this Osha, in which a mother observed the festival, resulting in her sons being revived after being killed by an enemy. This is why it is called Pua-Jiuntia Osha. Lord Duti Bahana is worshipped during Dutia Osha or Puajiuntia Osha. According to Hindu scripture, Lord Duti Bahana is the son of the Sun god and was born to a Brahmin widow.
There is a legend connected to this festival. In ancient times, an eagle and a wolf (Indian jackal) decided to observe this fast after seeing how human beings benefited from it. After the women finished their worship, the two animals gathered the leftover puja items and began their fast. The eagle observed the fast with great devotion, but the wolf, unable to control its hunger, ate meat. Nevertheless, both completed the fast, and as a result, both were reborn as humans. The wolf became the elder sister, married to a minister, and the eagle became the younger sister, married to a businessman.
Since the elder sister had not properly observed the fast in her previous life, she remained childless, while the younger sister, who had faithfully observed it, had many children. The elder sister grew jealous and began killing her younger sister's children when they visited her, but the children always returned home safely due to the protection of Lord Duti Bahana. The elder sister's husband eventually discovered her misdeeds and forbade her from continuing. The younger sister, meanwhile, learned of these events through a dream.
One day, the younger sister requested her elder sister to observe Dutia Osha. Out of obedience, the elder sister observed the vow, and by the grace of Lord Duti Bahana, she too had children. Both sisters then lived happily with their families.