Package from 5 of Aug 2009

Following the ancient tradition of paying reverence to each living creature, the people at Puri unite in the month of August to worship their cattle.

This festival falling on the full moon day of Shravana month is celebrated as the appearance day of the god of agriculture- Baladeva. It is because He only invented the plough and taught agricultural methods to the people on earth. Therefore, this day is celebrated to pay an obeisance to Him who brought riches to the earth in the form of food grains.

Cattle and especially bullocks are hence worshipped on this day. The cattle sheds are cleaned and neatly plastered and sketches of bullocks, bullock carts, ploughs and other agricultural implements are drawn on the walls. Bullocks are bathed and decorated with flowers and sandal paste. Their horns are oiled and vermillion is smeared on their foreheads. This ritual of worship takes place in the cattle-shed itself for which Brahmins are not needed. A piece of new cloth is also placed on the back of the bullocks and they are fed with rice-cakes and pulses.

The bullocks are taken to a field in the afternoon where all the agriculturists gather. A high altar is erected in the field and each bullock is made to jump over it. The altar is known as Gahma bedi and this part of the festival is called Gahma dian. This festival is believed to be the reminiscent of a similar festival that was first arranged by Baladeva Himself when He took the bullocks to plough the land for agriculture.

Despite of its being an agricultural festival, there are many other legendary and social connotations. Another name of this festival is Rakhi Purnima or Rakshya Purnima.

It was on this day only that Kunti- the mother of Pandavas vested the responsibility of her sons to Lord Krishna as the Kauravas wanted to kill them. Since then this festival has been known as Raksha Purnima which is popularly known as Rakhi Purnima. On this full-moon day of protection, Brahmins in Orissa visit the houses and bind sacred threads on the wrist of the people thus invoking Gods to protect their lives.

In northern India, this festival is celebrated on a social note with the sisters binding sacred threads on the wrists of their brothers to protect them from dishonor. And now, this tradition is also gaining ground in Orissa.

But for the followers of Vaishnav cult, this festival is Jhulan Purnima or Spring Festival of Lord Krishna. Metal images of Radha and Krishna are placed on beautifully decorated swings and nights are spent singing and dancing in front of the deities. Initiated by the Gajapati King Dibyasingha Dev-II; the festival at Puri, the seat of Lord Jagannath- an incarnation of Lord Vishnu attracts a number of people from far and near.