Grahma Purnima( Raksha Bandhan)

Raksha Bandhan on 18-Aug-2016

Rakhi is also celebrated as Grahma Purnima in Odisha. On this date all the domesticated Cows and Bullocks are decorated and worshiped. Various kinds of country-made cakes called "Pitha" and sweets "mitha" are made and distributed within families, relatives and friends.

Originally in Odisha this day marks the worship of Lord Balabhadra. Bullocks and cows are also worshipped by smearing their heads with sindur. The youngsters gather in the streets and demonstrate a traditional high jumping skill called  Gamha Dian.

Raksha Bandhan (रक्षाबंधन ) is a Hindu festival, which celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana (Shravan Poornima) .

The festival is marked by the tying of a rakhi, or holy thread by the sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her as she presents sweets to her brother. The brother and sister traditionally feed one another sweets.

It is not necessary that the rakhi be given only to a blood brother; any male can be "adopted" as a brother by tying a rakhi on the person, irrespective of whether he is cousin or a good friend. Indian history is replete with women asking for protection, through rakhi, from men who were neither their brothers, nor Hindus themselves.

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raksha_Bandhan

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Sudasha Brata

Sudasha Brata is also known as Sudasa Vrata or Dhanu Sankranti. Sudasha Brata is a unique ritual observed in Odisha. When there is a rare combination of Shukla Paksha, Thursday and Dasami in Odia Calendar Sudash Brata is observed. Sudasa Brata is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi. Special Mahalaxmi puja is observed on the day. In 2010, the date of Sudasha Brata is August 19.

Sudasa Brata is observed mainly by women for the wellbeing of the family. The main ritual involves the tying of a sacred thread on the hand by women. The thread is only replaced during the next Sudasa Brata.

Sudash Brata is observed whenever there is a combination of (1) Shukla Paksha (2) Thursday  and (3) Dasami. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped during the day by offering  ten Manda Pithas in puja (see Oriya Foods page for recipe of Manda Pitha). A string consisting of ten layers of thread is prepared in the prescribed manner and tied on the arm by women until the arrival next occasion for Sudasha Brata (when the string is replaced again).

 Odisha’s economy rests firmly on the shoupracheelders of its green fields and farmers. To accentuate the power of the man of grains and gruel, Vaishnav poet of Odisha Kabi Balaram Das introduced the festival " Manabasa " and Sudasa Brata , about 400 years back. The paraphernalia of the festival includes drawing a lotus motif and installing a wooden stool containing the beetlenut and the newly harvested grains. A special cake called "Manda" is offered as Prasad to the Goddess Laxmi.

It is a ritualistic practice to recite the Laxmi Purana on this day. It is interesting even Goddess Laxmi as a woman was not spared by her husband Lord Jagannath and banished out of her abode on a trivial mistake. The poet very aptly conveys the establishment of values like harmony, equality and social stability. The poet strongly believed that it is not through religious discipline but through sense of cleanliness, humility and noble thoughts that one can achieve the divine grace.

Reference: 

http://www.orissadiary.com

http://www.rathyatra.net

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ଚିତାଲାଗି ଅମାବାସ୍ୟା (Chitalagi Amabasya)

ଚିତାଲାଗି ଅମାବାସ୍ୟା (Chitalagi Amabasya) :

Update: ଆଜି ଚିତାଲାଗି ଅମାବାସ୍ୟା

Today is the Chitalagi Amabasya.

Chitalagi Amavasya is observed in the Shraban or Shravan month in Odisha...A special delicacy known as Chitau Pitha is prepared on the day at homes.

On the Chitalagi Amavasya day, a special ritual is held at Puri Jagannath temple. The forehead of the murti of Jagannath is adorned with a golden mark known as Chitta.