Bhubaneswar: The sacred Snana Purnima rituals are underway at the Puri Srimandir, marking the beginning of the annual Rath Yatra festivities. Thousands of devotees have gathered in the holy city to witness the divine bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
The Snana Purnima is a significant festival in the Jagannath tradition, marking the ceremonial beginning of the Puri Rath Yatra. The ritual is believed to purify the deities and prepare them for their journey on the chariots. According to legend, the Snana Yatra was first arranged by King Indradyumna when the idols of the deities were first installed.
The Snana Purnima rituals commenced early morning with a grand Pahandi procession, where the deities were escorted from the Ratna Sinhasana to the Snana Mandap, the bathing altar.
The bathing ceremony is a grand spectacle, featuring a specific number of pots of water dedicated to each deity.
While 35 pots of water are used for bathing Lord Jagannath, 33 pots of water for Balabhadra, 22 for Devi Subhadra and 18 pots of water for Lord Sudarshan. Thus, a total of 108 pots of water blended with aromatic herbs, sandal wood paste are used for the royal bathing ceremony.
Following the ritualistic bath, the deities are believed to contract an illness and are subsequently isolated for 15 days, known as Anasara. During this time, the deities will be provided with herbal remedies and a fruit-based diet to aid in their recovery.
The quarantine period or Anasara, commences from Jyestha Purnima and ends on Ashadha Amavasya.
In the evening, the servitors will perform the ‘Hati Besha’ ritual, adorning the deities in elephant attire, symbolising Lord Ganesha. The Sahana Mela, or open darshan, will be held from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, allowing devotees to catch a glimpse of the divine appearance of the Holy Trinity.
The Snana Purnima is a celebration of devotion, faith, and tradition, drawing thousands of pilgrims to the Puri Srimandir. As the festivities continue, the city is buzzing with excitement, and the atmosphere is filled with spiritual fervour.
