Kendujhar: The deities at the historic Sri Sri Baladeva Jew Temple in Kendujhar were adorned with distinctive palm-leaf (Talapatra) crowns as part of the unique local tradition during the Gajanan Besha (Hati Besha) on the occasion of Debasnana Purnima on Monday.
Unlike the tradition followed elsewhere, Lord Baladeva was decorated with Anla (Indian gooseberry) leaves, Lord Jagannath with Tulasi (holy basil) leaves, while Goddess Subhadra was adorned in Kuanri Besha (maiden form). The handcrafted Talapatra crowns worn by the deities remain the defining feature of Kendujhar’s centuries-old Gajanan Besha tradition.
The Snana Utsav was held at the Snana Mandap inside the Sri Sri Baladeva Jew Temple, regarded as the second-largest Vishnu temple in Odisha after the Jagannath Temple in Puri.
The day’s rituals commenced with Abakasha (awakening) at 7 am, followed by Lugalaagi (attire) at 8 am and Pushpanjali at 9 am. At 10 am, Sudarshana, Lord Baladeva, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were taken in the traditional Dhadhi Pahandi procession to the Snana Bedi.
Following prescribed rituals, the deities were ceremonially bathed with water drawn from the temple’s golden well and poured from golden vessels. As per tradition, Baladeva was bathed with 35 pitchers of water, Subhadra with 22, Jagannath with 33 and Sudarshana with 18, taking the total to the sacred count of 108 pitchers.
After devotees have darshan of the special Gajanan Besha, the deities are scheduled to return to the Anasara Ghara between 9 pm and 11 pm in a single grand procession.
The temple’s renowned Rath Yatra tradition also began taking shape on Debasnana Purnima, with Bhuyan Sardars from four villages receiving the sacred Agyan Mala from the deities. In keeping with tradition, the Bhuyan Juang community will now prepare the Siali ropes used to pull Kendujhar’s massive chariot, one of the largest in the state.
