Sibling Deities at Sri Mandir Celebrate "Gamha Purnima’’, Birthday of Lord Balabhadra

Puri, August 31: As the Trinity follows all the human-like activities (leelas) and the three sibling deities in Srikshetra are known for their religious celebrations, today Devi Subhadra tied ``Pata Rakhis’’ to Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra as per the time specifically scheduled by the ``Mukti Mandap’’.

The ``Rakhi Purnima’’ or ``Gamha Purnima’’ holds a special place on the Odia religious calendar and also in the Sri Jagannath Temple as this auspicious day is also the birthday of Lord Balabhadra. Today’s ritual was held after the ``Madhyanha Dhoopa’’ of the Trinity, sources informed.

With ``Bhadra Kaal’’ falling between 11 am and 9 pm on Wednesday and holding of any auspicious rituals are not allowed during the time, the ``Rakhi Purnima’’ was done on Thursday at the Puri temple.

Goddess Subhadra ties the ‘Pata Rakhis’ prepared by Patara Bisoyi servitors to Her brothers. The servitors also prepare ``Guamala’’ in yellow and red colour combination for Lord Jagannath and purple and blue colour combination for Lord Balabhadra, as they are prescribed colours for the deities.