Bhai Jiuntia – A unique festival when young women seek divine blessings for brothers

By Akshaya Kumar Sahooo

Girls observing Bhai Jiuntia (PC: Kalinga TV)

Bhai Jiuntia of Subarnapur in western Odisha is a different cultural festival. Young women observe this festival with much gaiety.

On this occasion, the young women worship Goddess Durga after she enters the Khambeswari temple in Subarnapur town.

In middle of all the villages of the district, the young women celebrate the festival.

In the evening, the girls also assemble and sing songs hailing Maa Durga to bless their brothers.

During the puja, the girls offer 10 different kinds of flower to Goddess Durga.

“On Bhai Jiuntia which is observed after the Mahashtami Puja of Goddess Durga, this festival begins. We observe fasting during this time for the whole day and take food after worshiping Durga in the evening. Apart from 10 different flowers, we offer 108 pieces of grass, rice to the deity. On the next day, we touch our brothers with the holy grass and rice and offer them new clothes,” said Kishori.

Apart from wishing good life for brothers, the girls also seek Goddess Durga’s blessings for the whole family.

Gadadhar Barik, a researcher of Subarnapur, says Bhai Jiuntia is very old tradition of the region and it is increasingly being popular these days.