Kendrapara, Aug 28: The sacred occasion of Balabhadra Janma and Rakhi Purnima was celebrated with great devotion at Tulasi Kshetra in Kendrapara. Lord Siddha Baladevjew appeared in special Gahma Abhishek and Janma Abhishek Besha.

The temple was beautifully decorated with colourful lights and flowers. A large number of devotees visited the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Baladevjew.

The day began at around 5:30 am with Mangal Alati, ritual bathing and Gopalavallabh Dhupa. By 10 am, the Khichdi Dhupa ritual was completed. The three deities were then dressed in new clothes and decorated with flowers, tulasi and traditional ornaments.

As part of the Rakhi Purnima celebrations, two silk rakhis sent by Goddess Subhadra from Puri were offered to the deities. Servitors also offered around one lakh tulasi leaves to the Lord.

Special yajna and other religious rituals were performed by the temple priests. The rituals continued until midnight. After the yajna, specially prepared pitha and kheer were offered to Lord Baladevjew, followed by the night rituals and Badasinghara Niti.

The entire celebration was conducted under the supervision of the temple trust board members, officials and servitors.