Puri: A day before the return of the divine siblings to their abode in the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple, the sacred Adhara Pana ritual was performed with devotion and tradition on the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
The term Adhara Pana comes from ‘Adhara’ (meaning lips) and ‘Pana’ (meaning sweet water), symbolizing the offering of sweetened, herbal water to the deities in earthen pots that are ceremonially touched to their lips. This ritual is observed to provide refreshment to the deities and to honour the spiritual beings, or Rath Rakhyaks, believed to guard the chariots during the Rath Yatra.
As per tradition, nine large terracotta pots filled with Pana—a concoction of milk cream, cheese, sugar, banana, camphor, nutmeg, black pepper, and other aromatic ingredients—were offered to the deities. This year, the number of pots was reduced from 12 to nine. The preparation of the drink was handled by the Supakaras (temple cooks), using water specially drawn from a well near Chhauni Matha by the Pania Apata Sevakas.
The sacred offering was then presented by designated servitors including the Patribadu, Suarabadu, Garabadu, Palia Sevaka, and Pujapanda Sevaka. After the sweet water touched the lips of the deities, the pots were immediately broken at the foot of the chariots. This act is deeply symbolic—meant to liberate and offer refreshment to the invisible spirits and divine guards that reside on the chariots during the festival. Devotees are strictly prohibited from partaking in the pana.
The earthen pots used in the ritual were crafted by potters from Kumbharpada, using a mixture of fine soil and sand. The pots are specially prepared over the course of a month, under arrangements made by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, and supported by the Raghab Das Mutt and Badaodia Mutt.
The Adhara Pana ritual is one of the final ceremonial observances before the return of the deities to the sanctum sanctorium of the Shree Jagannath Temple-Ratna Singhasana (the bejewelled throne).
