Bhubaneswar, June 6: Today marks the observance of Sabitri Brata, one of the most significant Hindu festivals celebrated across Odisha by married women for the well-being and longevity of their husbands.

Married women honor this auspicious occasion by fasting and offering special prayers to various Hindu deities. They particularly venerate the Banayan tree, believed to house the divine presence of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, seeking blessings for the longevity of their spouses.

Legend has it that married women perform rituals under this towering tree, seeking its enduring life force for their husbands.

Sabitri Brata falls on the Amavasya (new moon) tithi of the Odia month of Jyestha, observed this year on June 6.

Since the early hours, various temples and sacred sites have witnessed throngs of married women. They present offerings of fruits, milk, ghee, bangles, vermilion, and sacred threads to the deities. After offering these items, they wear them as symbols of devotion.

Renowned temples across Odisha, such as Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar, Dhabaleswar temple in Cuttack, and the Jagannath temple in Puri, have been bustling with devotees. Additionally, devotees flocked to the Biraja temple in Jajpur, where the Goddess appeared in a special Sabitri manifestation, drawing a large crowd eager for a glimpse of the divine.

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