Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will not celebrate Raksha Bandhan this year too, a statement from the CMO said.

"Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has wished the people of Odisha on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. However, he will not be participating in Raksha Bandhan celebrations due to other engagements," the statement read.

Notably, the 76-year-old leader has not been participating in celebrations since last four years.

The festival assumes significance in Odisha as it is celebrated as Gamha Purnima, which marks the birthday of Lord Balabhadra. On this day, Goddess Subhadra ties the thread of love on her two brothers - Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath - at Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri, the 12th century shrine.