The festival of Raksha Panchami, also known as Rekha Panchami and Rakhya Panjami, is devoted to Batuk Bhairav, an avatar of Lord Shiva, and is observed with much fanfare in Odisha. It falls in the month of Bhadraba on the Panchami (5th day) tithi of the Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of the moon). It is observed on the Krishna Paksha Panchami of the Shravana month, according to the Hindu calendar.
This year, Raksha Panchami will be celebrated on August 24. It is also believed that if someone misses tying Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan, they can celebrate the festival on the Raksha Panchami.
Raksha Panchami Puja Timings
- The panchami tithi will begin at 10:39 AM on August 23 and end at 07:52 AM on August 24.
- Meanwhile, the shashthi tithi will begin at 07:52 AM on August 24 and end at 05:31 AM the next day.
Raksha Panchami Rituals
- Devotees wake up early, bath, and change into clean clothes.
- People put up paintings or images of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and Batuka Bhairav at the entrance to mark the festivities.
- Devotees perform the puja and offer fruits and sweets to the deity.
- They pray for the well-being of their loved ones.
- It is said that people also offer milk to snakes.
Significance And History
Raksha Panchami is widely celebrated in the state of Odisha and its surrounding areas. As per belief, worshipping Lord Bhairav on this day protects people from wild animals. Since the celebration is also known as Rekha Panchami, it is said that drawing a rekha, or boundary, that the wild animals will not cross.
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