Raksha Panchami

Raksha Panchami is an important festival dedicated to ‘Batuk Bhairav’ who is an avatar of Lord Shiva and is celebrated with full pomp and show in the state of Orissa. It is also popularly known as ‘Rekha Panchami’ or ‘Rakhya Panjami’.

Raksha Panchami falls on the ‘Panchami’ (5th day) tithi of the ‘Krishna Paksha’ (the waning phase of moon) in the ‘Bhadraba’ month of the Oriya calendar. In the traditional Hindu calendar it is celebrated on the ‘Krishna Paksha Panchami’ of the ‘Shravana’ month.

On Raksha Panchami devotees also worship Lord Ganesha and this festival is mainly observed for the safety from wild animals. It is mainly a celebration in Orissa and few other adjoining eastern regions.

Raksha Panchami 2024 is on August 24 Saturday

3 months and 24 days to go for the event

Batuk Bhairav

Rituals during Raksha Panchami:

Devotees get up early on Raksha Panchami and finish their morning rituals to begin preparations for the puja. On this day, images or paintings of Lord Ganesh, Batuka Bhairav and Lord Shiva or Mahadeb is drawn on every door of the house. Some people also draw a painting of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s vehicle on the back door.

Devotees write a small prayer to Lord Shiva on a palm leaf and hang it on the topmost part of the door. Along with this leaf, a small packet of rice and kusha grass is also hung on each door.

On Raksha Panchami there is a unique ceremony of making small offerings to snakes and other wild animals.

Important Timings On Raksha Panchami 2024

Significance of Raksha Panchami:

Raksha Panchami or Rekha Panchami holds great significance for the residents in the tribal area of Orissa. It is celebrated to get freedom from ‘Mruga’ and also get protection from attacks by wild animals like wolf, tiger and wild dogs. The ‘Rekha’ implying 'line' in Hindi is drawn on the doors on this day to seek safety from wild animals. Raksha Panchami is also an important day in other regions of the country. It is believed that those who missed tying the Rakhi on the day of Raksha Bandhan can do the same on Rekha Panchami.

Raksha Panchami festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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