Raksha Bandhan and its significance as 'Gamha Purnima' in Odisha; know here

Happy Rakhi Purnima! The auspicious day, popularly known as ‘Raksha Bandhan’ celebrates the sacred bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, girls tie a sacred thread to their brothers' wrists and pray for their well-being. In return, brothers offer their sisters gifts and promise to save them from all obstacles.

The festival falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month of 'Sawan'. This is also the day which is celebrated as 'Gamha Purnima' in Odisha. 

The name Gamha Purnima refers to the celebration of the birthday of Lord Balabhadra, considered the god of farming, on the same day. 

'Gamha Purnima' - Significance In Odisha

In Odisha, the auspicious day is also celebrated as ‘Gamha Purnima’, the birthday of Lord Jagannath’s elder brother Lord Balabhadra. This festival holds great significance for the people of Odisha and all the devotees of the Trinity.

As part of the birthday celebration, all six idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, Lord Sudarshan, Bhudebi and Sridebi are decorated with gold ornaments. The temple observes specific rituals as Devi Subhadra ties rakhi on Lord Balabahdra and Lord Jagannath.

These ‘special’ rakhis are only made by a group of certain servitors known as ‘Patara Bisoi’. The colours of these rakhis are red and yellow for Lord Jagannath while Lord Balabhadra is tied with blue and violet rakhis.

The farming community in Odisha, who use Langala (wooden plough), the weapon of Lord Balabhadra, observe the day with a lot of enthusiasm and fervour. On this day, farmers offer prayers to Lord Balabhadra and worship the wooden plough.

All About 'Gamha Dian' Or 'The Gamha Jump' Game

This day is also closely associated with Martial tradition. On this day, Paikas would start their practice of new warfare. In several parts of Odisha, particularly in southern districts, the birthday of Lord Balabhadra is also celebrated by organising a popular game known as Gamha Dian (The Gamha Jump), which adds colour to the festival.

Youths of the villages celebrating this festival build a platform with stones, sand, earth and straw. Then they fix two bamboo poles on either side of the platform. Thereafter, a rope is tied to the poles horizontally.

Gifts are hung from the rope and the rule of the game is that a participant has to announce his favourite gift from one of the hanging ones. Then he/she runs from a distance, and leaps into the air while trying to reach out to his/her announced gift.

If he/she manages to touch the gift, it is given to him/her. The whole village turns up at the place to enjoy and cheer up the village lads. However, Gamha Dian is fast disappearing from village scenes, all thanks to youngsters spending more time on social media and mobile phones.