Bhubaneswar: The last five days of the holy Kartika month in Odisha, observed as Panchuka, have begun from today. During these five days, the people refrain from all types of non-vegetarian food.
Traditionally, dedicated devotees of Lord Jagannath refrain from all type of non-vegetarian foods during the entire Kartik month but those who are unable to follow it, observe it during the last five days of the month.
Panchuka begins on Ekadasi day during the Shukla Paksha in Kartik month and ends on Kartik Purnima.
During these five days, Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayan are worshipped. Married women also worship Goddess Vrundavati in the form of the sacred tulsi plant. They also decorate the place with beautiful Muruja (Rangoli).
The five-day period is also of great significance in Puri Jagannath Temple. Thousands of people who are observing Kartika Brata for the entire month gets an opportunity to have darshan of Lord Jagannath in five different beshas (attire) during this period.
Following are the five different beshas if Lord Jagannath and his siblings:
- Lakshmi-Narayana Vesha is done on Kartika Sukla Ekadasi tithi (the 11th day of the bright fortnight in Kartika)
- Bankachula Vesha is done on Kartika Sukla Dwadasi tithi (the 12th day of the bright fortnight in Kartika)
- Tribikram Vesha is done on Kartika Sukla Trayodasi tithi (the 13th day of the bright fortnight in Kartika)
- Lakshmi-Nrusingha Vesha is done on Kartika Sukla Chaturdasi tithi (the 14th day of the bright fortnight in Kartika)
- Raja Rajeswari Vesha is done on Kartika Purnima (the full moon day of the bright fortnight in Kartika)
The Kartika Brata would complete on the ‘Kartika Purnima’ which is the last day of the Kartika month as well as the last day of Panchuka.
Kalinga AI