Today is Gamha Purnima or Shravan Purnima. The day marks the birth of Lord Balarama (Balabhadra), hence is also called Balarama Jayanti. In Orissa it is a day of cattle-worship as lord Balabhadra is considered to be the lord of cattle. A celebratory ritual of this day is the ‘Gamha diyan’ – children and youth try to pluck out fruits and other gifts hung on to ropes tied at a height.
Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is also celebrated today. It is the symbolic tying of a thread of love by a sister on the hand of her brother. In return the brother promises to protect her against all odds.
Wishing all our friends a happy Raksha Bandhan!
