Puri: The daily rituals of the deities of Jagannath temple in Puri got delayed as Maha Snana (grand purification bath) ritual of Lord Jagannath and his siblings was performed as per the rituals of the temple after blood stains were spotted near near Bhitara Katha on Tuesday.
According to sources, a few women from servitors’ families went into the temple to have the darshan of Lord Jagannath and His siblings after the opening of Lions’ Gate at 5.21 am. However, a few servitors spotted the blood oozing out of a finger of a woman near Bhitara Katha. That is why the daily rituals have been held up as per tradition and Maha Snana is performed. It is suspected that the lady might have got injured while entering the Bhitara Katha.
According to temple sources, ‘Maha Snana’ ritual does not mean that deities of Srimandir take bath. The idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are not bathed. However, the ritual is performed by pouring water on the mirrors placed in front of the idols amid chanting of mantras.
There are several occasions when Lord Jagannath and His siblings have to undergo the ritualistic purification bath called ‘Maha Snana’ and the shrine is cleansed in a ritual called ‘Sodha.’
Maha Snana ritual is performed If a child passes urine inside the temple, if anyone vomits inside the temple if blood stains are spotted inside the temple, if an animal dies inside the Srimandir, If a man dies inside the temple premises, if a dog is seen inside the temple premises and if a skull or skeleton is found inside the Srimandir.
