What is Odana Sasthi?
Odana Sasthi marks the beginning of winter, when Lord Jagannatha is offered new cloth for the cold season. It is kept on the sixth lunar day, which in 2026 falls on Tuesday, 15 December.
Significance
In his purport to the Caitanya-caritamrta, Srila Prabhupada explains what the day means for the Lord:
At the beginning of winter, there is a ceremony known as the Oḍana-ṣaṣṭhī. This ceremony indicates that from that day forward, a winter covering should be given to Lord Jagannātha.
Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 16.78, purport
The new cloth is bought directly from a weaver, and by the rules of Deity worship it should first be washed to remove the starch. Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi, who was visiting Puri, saw that the cloth had not been washed, and he became indignant.
How to observe it
From this day devotees begin offering warm clothes to their own Deities. They see Lord Jagannatha dressed for winter and hear the pastime of Pundarika Vidyanidhi. At the Rajapur Jagannatha Mandir in Sri Dhama Mayapur, the day is celebrated with kirtana, katha and prasadam. The English date changes every year, so check the calendar each winter.
Questions
When is Odana Sasthi in 2026?
Odana Sasthi falls on Tuesday, 15 December 2026. Its date is set by the lunar calendar, so the English date shifts from one year to the next.
What is Odana Sasthi?
Odana Sasthi is the ceremony at the start of winter when new cloth is offered to Lord Jagannatha. From that day He is given a winter covering, as Srila Prabhupada explains in his purport to Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 16.78.
Why is Odana Sasthi mentioned in the Caitanya-caritamrta?
Srila Prabhupada mentions it in the account of Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi, who saw the festival at Jagannatha Puri and was indignant that the cloth offered to the Lord had not been washed.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Tuesday, 15 December 2026
- Deity honoured
- Lord Jagannatha
- Marks
- The start of winter
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.