Bhubaneswar, (Orissa Today), June 22: Thousands of devotees gathered at Odisha’s Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri despite heavy rain to witness the ‘Snana Jatra’, the ceremonial bathing festival of the sibling deities on Saturday.
This annual ritual, observed on the auspicious Purnima (full moon day) of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, marks the commencement of the renowned Rath Yatra of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath.
Accompanied by chants of slokas, priests from the 12th-century shrine poured 108 pots of sacred water from a specific well within the temple premises onto the idols of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath.
Earlier in the morning, the deities, along with the image of Lord Sudarshana, were ceremoniously carried out of the sanctum sanctorum in a grand procession called ‘pahandi’ to the ‘Snan Mandap’, the bathing altar. Various rituals including Dwarapala Puja, Surya Puja, Rosahoma, Abakasa, Adharapochha, and Mailam were meticulously performed.
Traditionally, 35 pots of water are used for bathing Lord Jagannath, 33 pots for Lord Balabhadra, 22 pots for Devi Subhadra, and 18 pots for Lord Sudarshana. The holy water, drawn from the Suna Kua (golden well) within the temple premises, is infused with different herbs and aromatic essences before being poured over the deities during their ceremonial bath.
The ‘Jalabhishek’ ritual, accompanied by Vedic mantras, kirtan, the resonating beats of gongs, and the echoing conch shells, holds profound spiritual significance. Following the bathing ceremonies, the deities are adorned in ‘Gaja Besha’ or elephant attire, a majestic spectacle.
‘Snana Jatra’ celebrated amidst rain in Puri
