Snana Jatra celebrations in Puri witness massive turnout despite rain

Bhubaneswar, June 22: Despite heavy rain, thousands of devotees flocked to Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, to witness the 'Snana Jatra,' the ceremonial bathing festival of the sibling deities, on Saturday. This annual event, held on the full moon day of Jyeshtha in the Hindu calendar, marks the beginning of the renowned Rath Yatra of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath.

Amid the chanting of slokas, the priests of the ancient 12th-century temple poured 108 pots of holy water, drawn from a specific well within the temple grounds, over the idols of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath.

In the early morning, the deities, along with the image of Lord Sudarshana, were taken out of the sanctum sanctorum to the 'Snan Mandap' or bathing altar, in a grand procession called 'pahandi.'

Various rituals, including Dwarapala Puja, Surya Puja, Rosahoma, Abakasa, Adharapochha, and Mailam, were performed. The servitors fetched 108 pitchers of holy water from Suna Kua (the golden well) in the temple for the Snana Mandap. Herbs and aromatic essences were added to the water before it was poured over the deities during the ceremonial bath.

Traditionally, 35 pots of water are used for Lord Jagannath, 33 for Lord Balabhadra, 22 for Devi Subhadra, and 18 for Lord Sudarshan. This ritual, also known as 'Jalabhishek,' is carried out amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras, kirtans, the beating of gongs, and the blowing of conch shells. After the bathing ceremonies, the deities are dressed in 'Gaja Besha,' or elephant attire.