Raksha Bandhan Celebrations Witness Digital Revolution In Odisha : .    Bhubaneswar: The ritual of siblings getting together and celebrating...

Raksha Bandhan Celebrations Witness Digital Revolution In Odisha :

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Bhubaneswar: The ritual of siblings getting together and celebrating Raksha Bandhan witnessed a digital revolution in Odisha this time with many brothers and sisters adopting virtual platforms in view of the safeguards necessitated by COVID-19 pandemic.

Unlike yesteryears, the usual pomp and extravaganza was missing this time during the festival, symbolizing love and affection between a brother and his sister, as people chose to abide by COVID-19 protocols, including social distancing.

Most of the siblings chose to place online orders instead of visiting markets to purchase rakhis while prolonged lockdowns also kept the pre-festival business dull. Many people sent rakhis through post or courier service.

Meanwhile, Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi greeted the people on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

Greeting people on the occasion, Union Petroleum and Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, Raksha Bandhan is a symbol of affection and love between brothers and sisters.

The festival has added significance in Odisha as it is celebrated as Gamha Purnima, which marks the birthday of Lord Balabhadra.

On this day, Goddess Subhadra ties the thread of love on her two brothers – Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath – at Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri.