Bhubaneswar: The iconic Jagannath Temple in Puri will come alive with the age-old rituals of Rakhi Purnima today. In a grand and deeply moving display of sibling affection, Lord Jagannath and His elder brother Lord Balabhadra are set to adorn what are regarded as the world’s largest rakhis.
Despite being worshipped as Daru-Brahma at Srimandir in Puri, Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, observes festivals and follows rituals with the same devotion as ordinary human beings. This remarkable display of divine humility underscores the unique character of the Jagannath tradition.
On this day, Devi Subhadra, the beloved sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, tenderly ties rakhis on her brothers’ arms, symbolising her love and protective blessings.
The sacred responsibility of performing the rakhi ceremony rests with the Patara Bisoi servitors. They prepare four special rakhis for the occasion, each carrying profound significance. Lord Jagannath’s rakhi is adorned with vibrant red and yellow threads, while Lord Balabhadra’s features majestic blue and violet hues.
Lord Balabhadra: Patron Of Agriculture
According to mythological accounts, Lord Balaram was born on Gamha Purnima under the Makara Lagna of the Shravan nakshatra. This establishes him as the patron deity of agriculture and the guardian of farms. The term ‘Gamha’ is believed to derive from ‘Go-mata’, highlighting the sacred connection between Lord Balaram and cattle. As mentioned in the Harivamsa, Lord Balaram was conceived from a cow named Rohini, further strengthening his association with herds and farming life.
In keeping with this agricultural heritage, farming families across Odisha honour their wooden ploughs on this day. Devotees lovingly adorn their cattle with rakhis on their horns and place garlands around their necks. The animals are showered with treats and delicious pancakes, expressing heartfelt gratitude for their vital role in agriculture and rural life.
Honouring Farming and Marital Traditions
Beyond its religious and cultural importance, Gamha Purnima holds a special place in Odisha’s martial traditions. The Paikas, the state’s revered warrior class, regarded this day as highly auspicious for initiating new combat techniques and training regimens. They believed the sacred energies of the occasion bestowed upon them the strength, courage and agility essential for excellence in warfare.
Unique Rituals at Srimandir
At Srimandir, the birth ceremony of Lord Balabhadra is observed with great grandeur. All six idols — Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, Sudarshan, Bhudevi and Sridevi — seated on the Ratnabedi are bejewelled with gold ornaments.The Sudha Suar servitors, assisted by the Puja Panda, Pati Mohapatra and Mudirasta, make elaborate preparations for the puja. The sacred Angyamala (order of Lord Jagannath) is offered to Sridevi, Bhudevi and Madan Mohan (the representative deities of Sri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra) for the Jhulana rituals.Thereafter, Lord Sudarshan descends from the throne and boards the ‘chaudola’ adorned with golden garlands known as ‘Harida Mali’. The deity then proceeds to the Markandeya Pond. There, the Sudha Suara servitors craft an idol of Sri Balabhadra from wet clay. The Puja Panda chants sacred mantras to infuse life into the idol, after which bhoga is offered. The clay idol is then immersed in the pond.Following the immersion, Lord Sudarshan visits three other Ashrams before returning to Srimandir late in the night, bringing the day’s sacred observances to a close.
