Akshaya Tritiya Festival Observed with Rituals and Festive Spirit at Siripeta Jagannath Temple in Malkangiri

Malkangiri, April 23: The festival of Akshaya Tritiya was celebrated at the Dayana Srikhetra Jagannath Temple  in Siripeta village under Kudumulugumma  of Malkangiri district.
It is worth noting that the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Vaishakha is observed as Akshaya Tritiya. This day is officially celebrated as Farmers’ Day at the government level. Farmers consider it a highly auspicious and sacred day and begin agricultural activities with the ritual of Akhi Muthi Anukula (symbolic sowing of seeds) during the early morning hours.
The day is also regarded as for performing activities like house construction, engagements, marriages, and sacred thread ceremonies. On this occasion, farmers traditionally carry seed-filled baskets, decorated with turmeric, sandalwood, and vermilion, to their fields with rituals and cultural practices.
During the event, rituals were conducted under the guidance of the temple’s chief priest Bijayananda Panda. Key dignitaries included chief organizer J. Ranga Rao, VHP regional temple trust president Sanatan Madhi, along with Bhagaban Sahu, Padma Charan Panda, Ananda Madhi, Sahadev Sisa, and other temple members.
The कार्यक्रम began with the ceremonial Akhi Muthi Anukula in the nearby farmland, followed by  of the temple chariot in the परिसर. A new log was ceremonially added to the chariot by local carpenter Shibram Maharana as part of the Rath preparation rituals.
A devotional Sankirtan group from the village performed chants of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, and the rituals for the chariot preparation (Ratha Anukula) were completed with traditional