Indu Purnima (इंदु पूर्णिमा)

Bhadrab Purnima is known as Indu Purnima. It is also called Indra-Govind Puja. The worship of 'Indra-Govind' is celebrated specially in Sri Jagannath Temple Puri, but it has a special method. On this day Mahaprabhu Jagannath is decorated with an extra garland.
Mythology behind Indu Purnima
Indu Purnima has a mythological basis of the creation of seven clouds. The Puranas describe four clouds called Samvartaka, Aavartaka, Pushkar and Drona. But Indra rained on the gopuram for seven days. On that day, after sunset, at the Chahani Mandap (in the corner of Barchhata Matha) near Sannavadi, the Kotha Suvansiya Sevak makes Satmegh from bamboo and ties it to a wooden pole.❀ In this regard, the Bhagavad Gita states, "Indra remained in the cloud. On the seventh day it rained." So the number of clouds here is seven. These seven clouds remain there until the full moon.

❀ In Dwapar Yug, when Bhagwan Krishna stopped worshipping Indra, Indra rained for seven days. But the gopuram was not damaged as Bhagwan Krishna's mount was raised up.

❀ Indra's pride was shattered. He accepted Krishna as 'Govind'. It seems that the temple's 'Indra-Govinda band' niti is a reflection of the same harmonious culture.

❀ Indra-Govind Puja is a special festival of Bhadrav month. This festival is celebrated on Bhadrav Purnima day in the Jagannath temple. It is related to 'Indradhwaj Puja' which is performed on the Dwadashi tithi of Bhadrav Shukla Paksha. Once upon a time, it was a major festival of Odisha. According to mythology, Indra, the king of gods, was driven out of heaven by demons and devils and sought refuge under Bhagwan Vishnu.

❀ Vishnu gave him a flag and assured him that this flag will help him win over the demons and he will not lose the war. The king who worships this flag, his kingdom will be full of food grains and his subjects will increase. The subjects will also remain healthy. Therefore, during the times of monarchy, this 'Indra Dhwaj Puja' was celebrated with great pomp. Kings used to hoist the flag on Bhadra Shukla Dwadashi for the peace and welfare of the kingdom. But with the fall of monarchy, this celebration has now disappeared.

Shri Jagannath Temple How Indu Purnima is Celebrated
❀ On the day of Indu Purnima, a flower garland is offered to Mahaprabhu during Sandhya Aalati Vesha. After Sukhi Griha Bhoga is completed, Dolgobind is offered a lamp in the presence of Mahajan Sevak and seated on the inner throne.

❀ Purnima is celebrated as 'Indra-Govind Bandhan'. On this day, 'Indrahathi' (an idol of Airavat) comes from Basheli Sahi under Harchandi Sahi Akhara. Indra (robed) arrives on the back of an elephant. On this occasion, it is customary to perform 'Indra-Govind Bandhan' in the temple.

❀ After this, the Pujapanda presents Dolgobind with a garland of commandments. Then, the Mahajana Sevak takes Dolgobind in a palanquin to the Mukti Mandap.

❀ Then the air hostess takes the palanquin with bell, umbrella and Kahli to Tikira Gohiri near Bada Chhatta Monastery. Then Indra elephant comes from Basheli Sahi.

❀ After the winter solstice, offerings are made to Indra, Chandra and Govinda at the Bhitarcha Mahapatra. After the offering, devotees take out a procession to the temple.