Bhubaneswar, August 27: The holy festival of Raksha Bandhan is being celebrated with great enthusiasm across Odisha, as sisters tie sacred threads on their brothers’ wrists and brothers pledge to protect them for life in return for their blessings and love.

While the festival is being celebrated across towns and villages today, Raksha Bandhan will be observed at the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri tomorrow on Shravan Purnima.

For the special occasion, servitors have prepared traditional rakhis in red, blue, yellow and purple. On Gamha Purnima, Goddess Subhadra will tie rakhis on Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra as part of the temple rituals.

Special rakhis for the deities are being prepared by Patara Bisoi servitors using Basungi silk fabric. The Rakhi Lagi ritual will be performed after the completion of the Madhyanna Dhupa ritual on Gamha Purnima.

Meanwhile, markets across Bhubaneswar are witnessing heavy crowds ahead of the festival. Sisters are visiting shops to choose special rakhis for their brothers. Shell- and pearl-decorated rakhis are particularly popular, with prices starting at around ₹20.

Stone rakhis, evil-eye designs, peacock-themed rakhis and Lord Jagannath-themed rakhis are also attracting buyers. Some sisters have opted for silver rakhis as well.

Sweet shops in the capital city are also witnessing a surge in customers, with families purchasing sweets for the occasion. Brothers, meanwhile, are busy selecting gifts for their sisters.

Those staying away from home are also using online shopping platforms to send gifts to their sisters, with many having placed orders in advance to ensure timely delivery.

The festival has once again brought a festive atmosphere to Odisha, celebrating the enduring bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters.