Bhubaneswar: The Anasara darshan of Lord Alarnath has begun today, and devotees can witness the deity in the form of a four-armed Narayana for the next 15 days beginning today.
According to reports, hundreds of devotees flocked to the historic Alarnath Temple near Brahmagiri in Puri district today, as the deities of Lord Jagannath and his siblings are in seclusion following their grand bathing ritual on Deba Snana Purnima yesterday. During this 15-day Anasara period, the deities will be unavailable for public viewing, and devotees believe that worshipping Lord Alarnath, a four-armed standing, is equivalent to seeking blessings from Lord Jagannath himself. The temple has become a major pilgrimage site during this time, with devotees gathering to catch a glimpse of the presiding deity and savour the temple’s signature khiri, a special rice porridge.
Historians attribute the establishment of the temple to the rulers of Alwar in Rajasthan, which is why it came to be known as Alwarnath or Alarnath Temple. Although the exact date of construction remains unclear, the temple gained prominence after Sri Chaitanya Dev’s visit in 1510 AD. During his stay, Sri Chaitanya wrote extensively about the place and the temple, claiming to have experienced a manifestation of Lord Jagannath at Alarnath. He spent considerable time worshipping the deity, further solidifying the temple’s significance.
Located just 23 km from the holy city, the temple dates back to the 9th century, with its construction attributed to King Vanudev IV’s reign. However, it was during the early 12th century that the temple gained prominence, following significant renovations and contributions made by the revered Sri Ramanujacharya, according to historical sources.
It is worth noting that after the Snana Purnima ceremony, which witnessed the bathing rituals of the four deities with 108 pots of water, the sibling deities fell sick and were taken to the Anasara Gruha. During this time, they will be worshipped as Pati deities in a special and sacred manner.
It may be mentioned here that patta paintings known as ‘Anasara patti’ or ‘Anavasara patti’ of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are worshipped in the 12th-century shrine during the anasara period. Besides, the darshan of Patitapabana—the representative image of Lord Jagannath on the right side of the main entrance of the temple from Simha Dwara—is also closed.
