With Raksha Bandhan and Gamha Purnima approaching, confusion had emerged among people over whether the festival should be celebrated on August 27 or August 28 this year. Mukti Mandap Pandit Prafulla Mishra has now clarified the date for the general public.

According to Mishra, the full moon day of the month of Shravan is observed as Gamha Purnima. The day is also associated with the birth celebration of Lord Balabhadra and several special rituals at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Raksha Bandhan is traditionally observed in homes on the same occasion.

This year, however, the Purnima Tithi extends across two dates, leading to confusion over the appropriate day for tying Rakhi.

At the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, the birth rituals of Lord Balabhadra, the Raksha Bandhan ritual of the deities and the Chari Ashrama Bije ritual of Lord Sudarshan will be observed on August 28.

However, the date for the general public is different, according to the Mukti Mandap Pandit’s interpretation of the rituals.

When Should People Tie Rakhi?

The Purnima Tithi will begin at around 9:08 AM on August 27 and will continue through the day. Since Raksha Bandhan is considered a midday festival, people can observe the festival and tie Rakhi on August 27.

The situation is different for temple rituals. Since the Purnima Tithi will continue after sunrise on August 28, the Shree Jagannath Temple will observe Lord Balabhadra’s birth rituals on that day.

Mukti Mandap Pandit Prafulla Mishra explained that the rituals followed at the Shree Jagannath Temple are based on the sunrise-related system, while festivals observed by the general public follow the applicable ritual timing during the day.

Therefore, there is no need for confusion among devotees and the general public. According to the Mukti Mandap Pandit, almanac reviewers and researchers of Jagannath culture, Raksha Bandhan should be celebrated on August 27, while the special Gamha Purnima rituals at the Shree Jagannath Temple will be observed on August 28.

The clarification is expected to settle the confusion over the two dates and help people celebrate Raksha Bandhan without any uncertainty.

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