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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