Puri: Over 1,000 members of the Sabar Samaj Kalyan Samiti offered traditional forest produce and essential items to Lord Jagannath during the sacred Anasara period at Bada Danda (Grand Road) in Puri on Sunday, marking a unique expression of devotion ahead of the temple’s post-Snana Purnima rituals.
The devotees, drawn from tribal communities of Rayagada, Gajapati and Koraput districts, took part in a ceremonial procession carrying fruits, roots, honey, sesame oil, resin, sandalwood, paddy, rice and other offerings before presenting them to the deities.
The offerings were formally received by Daitapati servitor Biswabasu Binayak Dasmohapatra for onward submission to the Anasara rituals of Lord Jagannath. Temple servitors said the items were sent to the Anasara Ghara for ritual use, while arrangements were also made to supply rice and other grains to the temple kitchen.
The ritual underscores the longstanding spiritual connection between Lord Jagannath and the Sabar community, which believes the deity was originally worshipped by Saura tribal chief Biswabasu before being enshrined at Srimandir.
Sabar Samaj Kalyan Samiti president Dalapati Mandal said the offerings symbolise the community’s devotion and gratitude towards Lord Jagannath. He added that this was the first time the organisation had undertaken Anasara Seva and expressed hope that it would become an annual tradition.
Daitapati servitor Biswabasu Binayak Dasmohapatra noted that the offerings included fruits, medicinal herbs and other essential items used in the deities’ rituals during the Anasara period.
