Women tie Rakhis around trees in unique Raksha Bandhan celebration
2
Rourkela: In a heartwarming display of affection and environmental consciousness, around 3,000 women from over 100 villages in the state celebrated
Raksha Bandhan
by tying rakhis around trees.
This unique tradition, known as Brukhya Rakhyabandhan, has been observed in Jhuirmal village under the Lephripada block of Sundargarh district for the past five years. The initiative, which began during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, was spearheaded by environmentalist and social worker Digambar Upadhyay, programme director of SEWAK, an NGO. With lockdowns preventing many women from visiting their brothers, Upadhyay encouraged them to plant trees in their localities, tie rakhis to them, and vow to protect them for life.
Since then, the practice has spread to seven other districts: Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Boudh, Subarnapur, and Angul. On Saturday, the festival was marked with great enthusiasm as women and girls, carrying decorated puja thalis, performed rituals for the trees, tied rakhis, and recited pledges for their lifelong protection. The air was filled with the sounds of bells, conch shells, and traditional huluhuli, creating a festive atmosphere.
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Expressing his hopes for the initiative, Upadhyay said, "At a time when natural resources are under threat and climate change is a significant challenge, Brukhya Rakhyabandhan stands as a pure reflection of the bond between humans and nature. What began in a small village during the pandemic has now gained popularity across districts of Odisha. I hope that in the future, people from every corner of the state and country will join this movement.
Let us strengthen the bond between humans and trees by planting trees and ensuring their lifelong protection."
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