Raksha Panchami 2023: Date, History, Significance, Rituals

Raksha Panchami 2023: The state of Orissa celebrates Raksha Panchami, an important festival dedicated to Batuk Bhairav, an avatar of Lord Shiva, with great grandeur and circumstance. It is also known by the names ‘Rekha Panchami’ and ‘Rakhya Panjami’.

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

On Raksha Panchami, devotees also worship Lord Ganesha; this festival is primarily celebrated for protection against untamed animals. Primarily observed in Orissa and a few other adjacent eastern regions.

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Important Timings On Raksha Panchami 2023

Observances on Raksha Panchami:

On Raksha Panchami, devotees rise early and complete their morning rituals before beginning preparations for the puja. On this day, images or depictions of Lord Ganesh, Batuka Bhairav, and Lord Shiva or Mahadeb are painted on the doorways of every home. On the back door, some individuals also depict Nandi, Lord Shiva’s vehicle.

On a palm leaf, devotees compose a short prayer to Lord Shiva and affix it to the top of the door. Along with this leaf, each door is also adorned with a small packet of rice and kusha grass.

On Raksha Panchami, a special ceremony is held in which modest offerings are made to snakes and other wild animals.

The significance of Raksha Panchami is as follows:

Raksha Panchami or Rekha Panchami is a significant festival for the Orissa tribal populace. It is celebrated to gain liberation from ‘Mruga’ and protection from wild animals such as wolves, tigers, and wild dogs. On this day, the ‘Rekha’, which means ‘line’ in Hindi, is drawn on the doors to beseech protection from wild animals. Raksha Panchami is also a significant holiday in other regions of India. On Rekha Panchami, it is believed that those who did not tie the Rakhi on Raksha Bandhan can do so.

Raksha Panchami festival dates between 2023 & 2030