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Key Points

The annual Snana Yatra at Puri's Jagannath Temple attracted lakhs of devotees for the sacred bathing ritual of the divine siblings. Servitors performed the traditional 'Pahandi Bije' procession, bathing the deities with 108 pitchers of holy water from the mysterious 'Sunakua' well. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi participated in the prayers and inspected Rath Yatra preparations. Extensive security arrangements were made to manage the massive crowd during this significant religious event.

Key Points: Jagannath Snana Yatra Draws Lakhs to Puri Temple Ritual

  • Servitors bathe deities with 108 pitchers of holy water
  • Elephantine masks adorned after ceremonial bath
  • CM Majhi offers special prayers at temple
  • 70 police platoons deployed for crowd management
2 min read

Lakhs of devotees throng Lord Jagannath temple in Puri to witness 'Snana Yatra'

Thousands gather for sacred bathing of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, marking start of Rath Yatra preparations

"I prayed to Lord Jagannath for happiness and peace across the globe - CM Mohan Charan Majhi"

Bhubaneswar, June 11

Lakhs of devotees thronged to the sacred city of Puri in Odisha to witness the divine spectacle of 'Snana Purnima' or the 'Deva Snana Purnima', the ritual bathing of holy triad -- Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra -- at the famous Jagannath temple on Wednesday.

This marks the beginning of the famous Rath Yatra, which is scheduled to begin from June 27 this year.

On Wednesday, the servitors brought the deities from their sanctum sanctorum to the bathing platform 'Snana Vedi' in a grand procession called 'Pahandi Bije' ritual with the blowing of traditional musical instruments such as gongs, conch shells, etc.

The holy siblings got bathed by the servitors with 108 pitchers of holy, fragrant water drawn from a mysterious well known as the 'Sunakua' or the 'Golden Well' inside the temple.

After the ceremonial bath, the deities are decked up with specially made elephant masks popularly known as 'Gajanana Besha' or 'Hathi Besha'.

Later, the deities return to the temple and are placed at 'Anasaragruha' (isolation room).

It is said that the holy siblings suffer fever due to the bathing and remain out of bound for all, except Daita and Paita servitors.

The idols of the three deities then make an appearance after 14 days of 'anasara' or quarantine in a new appearance known as "Naba Jaubana Darshana".

On the auspicious occasion of Snana Purnima, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited Puri and offered prayers to Lord Jagannath on the 'Snana Bedi' (bathing altar).

After witnessing the divine ritual, he proceeded to the Srimandir (Jagannath Temple) and later inspected the ongoing construction work of the chariots for the upcoming Rath Yatra.

"I prayed to the Lord Jagannath for the happiness, peace and well being of people across the globe as well as Odisha. I also prayed for the smooth and hassle-free conduct of the upcoming Ratha Yatra festival," said CM Majhi.

He also expressed satisfaction over the preparations by the district administration and servitors for the Snana Purnima rituals at Puri.

The Puri Police has made elaborate arrangements for crowd control and to avoid any untoward incident during the Snana Yatra festival.

As many as 70 platoons of police force and 450 officers have been deployed for security arrangements during the Snana Yatra.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

A
Amit K.
Jai Jagannath! 🙏 The Snana Yatra is such a divine experience. I visited Puri last year and the spiritual energy is unmatched. The way the entire city comes together for this festival shows our rich cultural heritage. Can't wait for Rath Yatra now!
P
Priya M.
The rituals are so fascinating! 108 pitchers of holy water from the Golden Well... Our ancestors created such meaningful traditions. Though I wish the administration would improve crowd management - last time my elderly parents found it very difficult with the huge rush.
R
Rahul S.
The concept of 'anasara' where the deities rest for 14 days is so unique to Jagannath culture. It shows how our traditions humanize even the divine. Odisha's festivals are truly India's hidden gems that more people should experience.
S
Sunita P.
Good to see the CM personally overseeing arrangements. The chariot construction is always a sight to behold! Does anyone know if they're still using the traditional wood or have switched to modern materials for durability?
V
Vikram J.
The Gajanana Besha after the bath is my favorite part! 🐘 The elephant form of the deities symbolizes wisdom and strength. This festival beautifully blends spirituality with cultural artistry. More power to the servitors who maintain these ancient traditions.
N
Neha R.
While I appreciate the religious significance, I hope the authorities are taking proper eco-friendly measures. With lakhs of devotees, the waste management and water usage must be planned carefully to protect Puri's beautiful environment.

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