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Key Points

The sacred Adharpana ritual was performed for Lord Jagannath and siblings on their chariots in Puri. Servitors offered sweet drinks in large pots that were later broken as part of tradition. This ceremony precedes the Niladri Bije when deities return to the temple after Rath Yatra. Thousands gathered despite this year's tragic stampede incident during the festival.

Key Points: Puri Rath Yatra Adharpana Ritual Held for Jagannath Balabhadra Subhadra

  • Adharpana involves sweet drinks offered in 9 pots to deities
  • Ritual marks final phase before Niladri Bije return
  • Special mixture contains jaggery, coconut, cottage cheese
  • Broken pots signify offering completion before chariot return
2 min read

Odisha: Adharpana ritual held on chariots of holy siblings at Puri

Devotees witness sacred Adharpana offering to Jagannath siblings on chariots as Rath Yatra nears conclusion with Niladri Bije ritual

"The spillover drink is meant for subsidiary deities and spirits, forbidden for devotees – Temple tradition"

Bhubaneswar, July 7

The servitors of Jagannath Temple on Monday conducted a significant ritual called ‘Adharapana’ before the holy siblings - Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra - seated on their chariots near the 12th century shrine at Puri.

The significant ritual related to the annual Rath Yatra began at 4.30 pm and continued till 9 pm on Monday. Traditionally, this ritual takes place after the Suna Besha of the deities. Thousands of devotees gathered at the holy city to witness the divine ritual of the deities on Monday.

As per tradition, a special drink is offered to the deities in nine cylindrical pots large enough to reach up to the lips of the deities on their chariots. This ritual is known as 'Adharapana' with the joining of two words - 'Adhara' (lips) and 'Pana' (delicious drink prepared with the mixture of jaggery, coconut gratings, cottage cheese, gram flour and other ingredients). The servitors broke nine large earthen pots, three each placed before Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, filled with sweet drinks after offering them to the deities.

The spillover drink is meant for the subsidiary deities placed on the chariots, evil spirits and ghostly bodies. The devotees are forbidden to collect and drink the Adharapana. This signifies the end of Rath Yatra as the deities in a ceremonial procession will return to their sanctum sanctorum on Tuesday.

The special ritual popularly called Niladri Bije is held on the thirteenth day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha. Niladri Bije is the last phase of the Rath Yatra, which began on June 27. Lord Jagannath will enter the 12th century after pacifying an angry Goddess Laxmi by offering her Rasagola during the Niladri Bije ritual. The devotees will have the darshan of the deities on the Ratna Singhasana (the bejeweled platform) from Thursday.

This year’s Ratha Yatra was marked by the unfortunate stampede incident that claimed the lives of three pilgrims near the Gundicha Temple on June 29, as well as chaos during the pulling of chariots on June 27.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The stampede incident was really unfortunate. Temple authorities need better crowd management systems. Our traditions are beautiful but safety must be priority number one. Hope next year will be safer for all devotees.
A
Aditya G
The description of Adharapana ritual is fascinating! The mixture of jaggery, coconut and cottage cheese sounds delicious 😋. Our ancestors created such meaningful traditions that connect spirituality with nature's bounty.
S
Sarah B
As someone visiting India for the first time, I'm amazed by the depth of these rituals. The attention to detail - from the nine pots to the symbolic offerings - shows such devotion. Would love to experience this festival someday!
K
Karthik V
The part about offering Rasagola to Goddess Laxmi is my favorite! Odisha's claim to inventing Rasgulla is now part of our divine rituals too. Such a sweet way to end the festival (literally and figuratively)!
N
Nisha Z
My grandmother used to tell me stories about these rituals when I was little. Now seeing them covered in news makes me emotional ❤️. We must preserve and document these traditions for future generations.

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