Gamha Purnima: Birth rituals of Lord Balabhadra to be performed in Puri

Puri, Aug 12: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is all set to celebrate Gamha Purnima today which is the birthday of Lord Balabhadra or Balram. As per the tradition, Devi Subhadra ties rakhi to Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra. Many devotees from various parts of the state paid their obeisance at the temple. As per the rituals, all the six idols -Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, Sudarshan, Bhudebi and Sridebi on Ratnabedi are bejeweled with gold ornaments. The Patara Bisoyi servitors prepare the rakhis for the sibling deities, known as ‘Pata Rakhis’, which Devi Subhadra ties to her brothers on Gamha Purnima. The preparation of the rakhis along with 54 garlands of areca nuts begins on completion of Chitalagi Amavasya rituals in the temple. The temple administration provides ‘Basunga Pata’ (cloth). Then Basunga Pata is dipped in red, green, purple, and yellow colours. The servitors then make four-layered Rakhis. The yellow-red Rakhi is for Lord Jagannath while the purple-blue colour combination is for Lord Balabhadra. According to the scriptures, Lord Balabhadra, who is considered the lord of farmers, was born on the day of Gamha Purnima. Special rituals involving Lord Balabhadra are also performed in the temple on the day. In some regions, people worship cattle and offer their prayers as it is said that Lord Balabhadra/Balram was born from a cow named Rohini. Meanwhile, Debasish Acharya of Bhadrak along with three devotees offered Rakhi to the Lords. The rakhis are made up of Coconut husk, coconut shell, jute, and rice. It took seven days to prepare three rakhis.