The auspicious last seven days of Kartik month are observed at the laxminarayana Mandir at Tarbha every year. But this year, devotees here are observing Akshaya Navami and Bhishma Panchak vrat from October 29 to November 4 (Kartik Poornima) at Srikshetra Puri.
On October 27, over 50 devotees started their journey to Puri where already 100 devotees of Bolangir, Sambalpur, Sonepur and Bhubaneswar are present. They reportedly took shelter at Sidhha Gokula Matha in Puri. On October 28, Kalashi Yatra was held there. Kodanda Meher and his wife Shantilata Meher are coordinating the programme.
The Akshaya Navami is believed to be very significant for all sorts of charitable and devotional activities. Traditionally Amla tree is said to be the epitome of lord Bishnu and offering prayers in front of the tree redeems sufferings and sin.