Thousands Gather at Puri Shree Jagannath Temple for Deba Snana Purnima Rituals

Thousands Flock to Puri Shree Jagannath Temple for Deba Snana Purnima Rituals

On Saturday, thousands of devotees gathered at the Puri Shree Jagannath Temple to witness the sacred Deba Snana Purnima rituals, marking the commencement of the Rath Yatra process, set for July 7.

In a grand procession, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra were ceremoniously carried to the Snana Bedi (bathing platform) from the sanctum sanctorum, covering a distance of about 100 meters. The deities were bathed with 108 pitchers of water mixed with coconut water and various aromatic herbs to provide relief from the summer heat.

Devotees began lining up at dawn to view the deities at the Snana Mandap. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with senior officials including Chief Secretary P.K. Jena, attended the event to ensure the smooth conduct of the darshan rituals.

Despite a 45-minute downpour in the afternoon, the number of devotees in Puri increased significantly. "It’s a coincidence that every year during Snana Purnima, it rains in the pilgrim city. It’s a rare experience to have darshan of the deities in the Snana Mandap, where they were adorned in Gaja Vesha (elephant attire)," said Hector Mishra, a resident of Puri.

Following the bathing ritual, the deities are believed to fall ill for 14 days, during which they are treated by the sevayats (servitors) with various healing herbs and preparations. During this period, devotees are not allowed darshan, symbolizing the deities' recovery and rejuvenation.

After this 14-day period, the deities embark on the nine-day Rath Yatra sojourn. To ensure a hassle-free experience for devotees, the state administration deployed around 68 platoons of police force.