Women across state mark Sabitri Brata with fasting and prayers
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi wished women on the occasion and wrote on X post, "The great festival of Odia culture and tradition, I extend my best wishes and greetings to all the married mothers and sisters. I pray for a long and blessed married life for every married woman."
Apart from the huge rush in temples, women were also seen gathered under banyan trees in different localities across the city, reading the legend behind Sabitri Brata on the occasion.
"Every year, I observe this fast with full faith and hope. It is a festival that celebrates the strength of love and prayer," said Subhashree Sahu, a devotee at Budheswari Temple in the city.
Social media is flooded with posts of people wishing each other on the festival, and women, including many celebrities, posted their pictures after completing puja. The transgender community also observed the festival with much fanfare and celebrated the rituals.
"Spiritual practices are not confined to gender. For the transgender community, Sabitri Brata holds special significance as we observe the fast and pray for their guru or mentor's long life.
On this festival, we share a strong bond within the community," said Menaka Kinnar of the Nayapalli area in the city.
Female inmates in jails across Odisha were also allowed to observe the festival. Special arrangements were made by the prison authorities to enable them to perform the rituals inside the prison premises.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Bhubaneswar: Women across Odisha observed Sabitri Brata on Monday with traditional fervour, praying for the long life and well-being of their husbands. Dressed in festive attire and traditional jewellery, married women thronged temples, performed rituals, offered prayers and undertook a day-long fast.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi wished women on the occasion and wrote on X post, "The great festival of Odia culture and tradition, I extend my best wishes and greetings to all the married mothers and sisters.
I pray for a long and blessed married life for every married woman."
Apart from the huge rush in temples, women were also seen gathered under banyan trees in different localities across the city, reading the legend behind Sabitri Brata on the occasion. "Every year, I observe this fast with full faith and hope. It is a festival that celebrates the strength of love and prayer," said Subhashree Sahu, a devotee at Budheswari Temple in the city.
Social media is flooded with posts of people wishing each other on the festival, and women, including many celebrities, posted their pictures after completing puja. The transgender community also observed the festival with much fanfare and celebrated the rituals. "Spiritual practices are not confined to gender. For the transgender community, Sabitri Brata holds special significance as we observe the fast and pray for their guru or mentor's long life.
On this festival, we share a strong bond within the community," said Menaka Kinnar of the Nayapalli area in the city.
Female inmates in jails across Odisha were also allowed to observe the festival. Special arrangements were made by the prison authorities to enable them to perform the rituals inside the prison premises.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Maa Mangala Temple committee preserves traditions during festival
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Just 2 km from Sri Jagannath Temple, the Maa Mangala Temple in Sailashree Vihar stands as a beacon of devotion and tradition. This sacred site transforms into the Sri Gundicha Temple during the annual Rath Yatra, hosting the revered holy trinity for nine days before their return journey to their sanctum sanctorum on the day of Bahuda Yatra. The Maa Mangala Temple Committee, a dedicated group of devotees, meets all expenses during the deities' stay. "The committee members play a significant role in ensuring all the rituals are followed meticulously at the temple," said Gopal Patnaik, secretary of Sri Jagannath Trust. Their commitment to preserving the sanctity and spirit of the festival is evident in the vibrant 'bhajan sandhyas' they organise every evening. These devotional gatherings see a large turnout, predominantly women, who come together to sing praises and immerse themselves in the divine atmosphere. In addition to spiritual nourishment, the committee ensures that physical sustenance is provided to all who visit the temple to have a glimpse of the deities. Every day, they prepare and serve 'bhoga', a sacred offering, to 400 devotees. The menu, a delightful array of traditional Odia dishes, includes 'arna', 'dalma', 'khiri' and 'khata', each prepared with love and devotion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tinnitus: what this grandson discovered will surprise you Hearing Magazine Undo The temple priests, led by chief priest K C Panda, play a crucial role in maintaining the religious rigour of the festival. They meticulously perform all rituals, from Banaka Lagi to Adapa Abhada Bhoga, ensuring that every aspect of the deities' stay is conducted with precision and reverence. "From Bhoga Mandap Puja to Jatrangi Mahasnana, we try to replicate all rituals at our temple, which are performed at the Sri Gundicha Temple in Puri. Devotees came in large numbers from the nearby areas to the temple through these nine days," said Panda, the chief priest. The location of the Maa Mangala Temple at Sailashree Vihar adds another layer of significance to its role as the Sri Gundicha Temple. Uniquely positioned, it mirrors the spiritual journey of the deities in Puri. On the return journey, the deities make a symbolic stop at the Maa Tarini Temple, akin to the Maushi Maa Temple in Puri, where they partake their favourite 'poda pitha', a traditional baked delicacy. This harmonious blend of devotion, tradition, and community brings unity among the devotees. As the lords prepare to return to their abode, the temple stands as a testament to the enduring faith and dedication of those who keep these age-old traditions alive, ensuring that the divine presence continues to bless the land and its people.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Patiagada Gopinath Deb Temple becomes most happening place during Rath Yatra
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Patiagada, a culturally-rich village in the city, uses Gopinath Deb Temple at Dolamandap Sahi as Gundicha Temple for the Rath Yatra. The sibling deities stay at this temple for nine days, and people celebrate the Rath Yatra by organising cultural evenings from Rath Yatra to Bahuda. Folk and classical dances are performed near this temple during this period. "We stage bhajan (Odia devotional songs), sankirtan, Gotipua dance, Odissi dance, Sambalpuri folk dance, chaiti ghoda dance, and giti natya from the day of Rath Yatra to a day before Bahuda," said Benudhar Rout, managing trustee, Sri Gundicha Ghar Gopinath Deb Mandir Trust. Rout said Rath Yatra in his village was stopped after 1932. Later, the villagers revived it in 2010. Like earlier, the newly-constructed chariot rolls from Jagannath Temple to Gopinath Deb Temple in the village, he added. He said this Gopinath Deb Temple was used as Gundicha Temple before 1932 too. "At that time, villagers were bringing teak from the Patia forest to construct chariots for the sibling deities. Now the forest is nowhere to be seen. I heard this from my father and grandfather. We are happy that we are continuing this rich tradition," he added. Rout said Gopinath Deb Temple was built by the king of Patiagada. "We renovated it with the help of villagers. The renovation was completed in November 2014," he added. He said they always try to rope in folk dance, classical dance, and Odia bhajan performers to patronise Odia culture. "People enjoy the moment after the revival of Rath Yatra since 2010 in the village. Villagers even provide rice and other materials to make prasad for devotees on the day of Rath Yatra," he added. Kishore Chandra Paikaray, a villager, said the Gopinath Deb Temple is an old temple like Jagannath Temple of Patiagada. "While renovating, we have not changed any structure of the temple. We have used the old stones for the construction of the main structure of the temple," he added.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Hans India
Jindal Foundation continues to serve devotees during Rath Yatra
Bhubaneswar: For the 11th year in a row, Jindal Foundation, the social arm of Jindal Steel & Power, has continued to serve devotees of Rath Yatra in Puri, demonstrating its compassion and dedication to community service. This year, the Foundation has served over 10 lakh freshly cooked and nutritious meals during the grand festival. The services will continue until the auspicious day of Suna Besha, aiming to provide more than 20 lakh meals. To serve the devotees, the Foundation has set up two massive food distribution stalls – near the Puri railway station and the bus stand near the Gundicha temple – strategically located to reach maximum number of people. The traditional Odia meal of rice, dalma (a lentil-based dish) and khata (a sweet and sour chutney) was chosen for its nutritional value and its cultural significance, providing a taste of local hospitality to the devotees. The Foundation has ensured that all meals are hygienically prepared and served with humility, aligning with the spiritual sanctity of the event. The stall at the bus stand was inaugurated by Puri MP Sambit Patra. Shallu Jindal, Chairperson, Jindal Foundation, said, 'For the last 11 years, our efforts have been to ensure that no devotee goes hungry while seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath during Rath Yatra. We are humbled by the blessings and the opportunity to contribute to this grand spiritual occasion of India.'
