Gamha Purnima 2026

Gamha Purnima is the full moon of Shravana. In Odisha it is the birthday of Balabhadra, Jagannath's elder brother, who carries the plough and is the god of farmers. So before sisters tie rakhis on their brothers, the household's cows and bullocks are bathed, their horns oiled, and a rakhi is tied on them. In Paralakhemundi and the south the day is marked by Gamha Diyan, a contest of high leaps.

The story

Balabhadra is Balarama, whose weapon is the ploughshare, and Odisha's farmers count him their patron. The festival's name is linked to go-mata, mother cow.

At Puri the deities are tied with rakhis woven of patta thread by a family that has held the right for generations, and Subhadra ties one on each of her brothers.

How it is kept

• Cattle firstThey are decorated, fed pitha, and tied with a rakhi.
• RakhiSisters tie the thread on their brothers.
• Gamha DiyanYoung men leap from a raised platform to snatch a prize hung in the air.
• PithaManda, kakara and chakuli are made in every home.
• JhulanaThe swing festival of Radha and Krishna, kept for the week before, ends today.

Why this date

Gamha Purnima in other years

More Odia festivals

• 4 SeptemberJanmashtamiଜନ୍ମାଷ୍ଟମୀ
• 29 JulyGuru Purnimaଗୁରୁ ପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣିମା
• 14 SeptemberGanesh Pujaଗଣେଶ ପୂଜା
• 25 JulyHari Sayana Ekadasiହରି ଶୟନ ଏକାଦଶୀ
• 16 JulyRatha Jatraରଥଯାତ୍ରା
• 16 SeptemberNuakhaiନୂଆଖାଇ

Where to see Gamha Purnima

In Odisha

• Jagannath Temple, PuriOdishaBalabhadra's birthday rites, and the close of Jhulana Jatra.
• Baladevjew Temple, KendraparaOdishaThe chief temple of Balabhadra in the state.
• ParalakhemundiOdishaKnown for its Gamha Diyan contests.

Across India

• AmarnathJammu and KashmirThe pilgrimage to the ice linga ends on this full moon.
• MumbaiMaharashtraNarali Purnima, when fishermen offer coconuts to the sea.
• DelhiDelhiThe rakhi markets of Chandni Chowk.

Further reading

• BalaramaWikipedia
• Raksha BandhanWikipedia
• Odisha TourismGovernment of Odisha