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Raksha Panchami is widely celebrated in and around the state of Odisha. (Image: Shutterstock)
Raksha Panchami will be celebrated on August 24. It is believed that if someone does not tie Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan, then he can celebrate the festival on Raksha Panchami.
The festival of Raksha Panchami, also known as Rekha Panchami and Rakhya Panjami, is dedicated to Batuk Bhairav, an avatar of Lord Shiva, and is celebrated with great fanfare in Odisha. It is celebrated in the month of Bhadraba, on the Panchami (fifth day) tithi of Krishna Paksha (the waning phase of the moon). It is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha Panchami of the month of Shravana, as per the Hindu calendar.
This year, Raksha Panchami will be celebrated on August 24. It is also believed that if someone does not tie Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan, then they can celebrate the festival on Raksha Panchami.
Raksha Panchami Puja Timings
- 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, bathe and change their clothes.
- People place paintings or images of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha and Batuka Bhairav at the entrance to mark the festivities.
- Devotees perform 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.
Importance and history
Raksha Panchami is widely celebrated in and around the state of Odisha. According to 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 a rekha, or boundary, is drawn which wild animals will not cross.
