Snana Jatra with COVID Restrictions

Puri (Reporters Today Bureau): Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Debi Subhadra today took holy bath at the Snana Mandap of the Bada Deula here on the sacred occasion of Deba Snana Purnima. The servitors carried out the Snana Jatra rituals of the deities while the Bada Danda wore a deserted look as congregation of devotees has been prohibited by the state government in view of the COVID-19 situation. In the morning, the idols were brought out from Ratna Bedi to the Snana Mandap by the temple servitors in Pahandi.

As per rituals, the deities were accorded a bath with 108 pitchers of aromatic water by a group of servitors. While the servitors poured 35 pots of water on Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra had shower with 33 pots of water, Devi Subhadra with 22 pots of water and Lord Sudarshan took bath with 18 pots of water. After the ritualistic bath, it is believed that the deities suffer from cold and fever.

The idols are then kept away from public view for fifteen days at Anasara Gharafor treatment for which specific rituals are performed. This period of isolation is called Anasara, which means improper time for worship. On the 16th day, the idols in their youthful forms become ready for public view. The first appearance of the deities after the bathing festival is called Netrotsaba or Naba Jaubana Darshan.