Archive · 25 Aug 2026
World’s Biggest Rakhi Planned for Lord Jagannath in Odisha
Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters.
In Odisha, it is also called Gamha Purnima.
In 2026, the festival will be held on August 28.
A very large Rakhi will be made for Lord Jagannath.
Local Patara artisans will create it using colorful cloth and traditional materials.
The Rakhi will have several circular layers.
According to tradition, Goddess Subhadra ties sacred Rakhis to Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra.
The day also celebrates Lord Balabhadra’s birth anniversary.
Odisha will observe Raksha Bandhan, locally known as Gamha Purnima, on August 28, 2026.
A giant Rakhi, described as the world’s biggest, will be offered to Lord Jagannath.
Artisans from the Patara community are traditionally responsible for crafting the enormous Rakhis.
The Rakhis use colorful cloth and traditional materials arranged in concentric circular patterns.
The festival also marks the birth anniversary of Lord Balabhadra, known as Balbhadra Jayanti or Balarama Jayanti.
- Who
- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Patara-community artisans are central to the tradition.
- What
- A giant Rakhi described as the world’s biggest will be crafted and offered to Lord Jagannath during Raksha Bandhan rituals.
- When
- Friday, August 28, 2026, on the full moon day of Shravana.
- Where
- Odisha.
- Why
- The Rakhi honors the sibling bond and continues a centuries-old local tradition dedicated to Lord Jagannath.
- Festival
- Raksha Bandhan, locally known in Odisha as Gamha Purnima
- Date
- August 28, 2026
- Rakhi recipient
- Lord Jagannath
- Craftspeople
- Artisans from the Patara community
- Materials
- Colorful cloth and other traditional materials
- Design
- Concentric circular patterns with multiple layers
- Additional observance
- The birth anniversary of Lord Balabhadra, also called Balbhadra Jayanti or Balarama Jayanti