Anasara Rituals Continue in Puri, Devotees Throng Alarnath Temple

Bhubaneswar: The sacred Anasara period at the Jagannath Temple in Puri has entered its second day, with rituals being conducted in seclusion as the three deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—undergo traditional healing.

The Anasara period, which began on the full moon day of the Jyestha month, marks a two-week quarantine of the deities following their ceremonial bath on Deba Snana Purnima. During this time, the deities are kept away from public view in the Anasara Pindi, where they are believed to be recuperating from fever caused by the elaborate bathing ritual.

Today, the special ‘Oda Luga Lagi’ ritual will be performed, during which the Lord is adorned with a unique sacred attire. The rituals are carried out by Daitapatis, the servitors traditionally assigned to care for the deities during this period. The deities are offered pana, fruits, and Dasamula herbal medicines, and no cooked food is served during their seclusion.

In the absence of darshan at the Puri temple, thousands of devotees have turned their devotion toward Alarnath Temple in Brahmagiri. As per traditional belief, offering prayers to Lord Alarnath during Anasara is spiritually equivalent to worshipping Lord Jagannath himself.

Alarnath Temple opens its doors for devotees at 6 AM daily after completion of morning rituals including Mangala Arati, Tadapa Lagi, Abakasha, and Gopal Ballabha, after which public darshan begins.

Meanwhile, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has ensured smooth execution of the Anasara rituals and adequate arrangements for the safety and convenience of devotees.

The Anasara period will conclude on the new moon day of the Ashadha month, just before the grand Nabajoubana Darshan and Rath Yatra.