Today marks the celebration of Kanji Amla Navami, a significant Osa (ritual) observed on the Krishna Paksha Navami Tithi (ninth day of the waning moon), the day after Parthashtami. This puja is dedicated to Goddess Shathi, the deity of destiny who protects children and grants offspring to the childless.
The unique name derives from the Kanji (fermented rice water soup) prepared with Amla (Indian gooseberry) and consumed as prasad. Women gather in the evening to perform the ritual, worshipping with chakuli pitha, Kanji, and Patra Sukhua (dried spinach/taro leaves). Seven Patra Sukhua are decorated as a "Sukhua Bohu" (bride) and revered.
In a key aspect of the ritual, household women bow down to the "Sukhua Bohu," symbolizing the mother-in-law's reverence for the daughter-in-law. This festival underscores prayers for the welfare of children, based on an interesting legend of a daughter-in-law who regained her lost sons after repenting for a theft, proving Goddess Shathi's compassion.