"I came here to join 'snana yatra', Lord Jagannath unites people," Russian devotee in Odisha on Deva Snana Purnima

On the occasion of Deva Snana Purnima, thousands of devotees visited Puri to witness the 'snana yatra' of Lord Jagannath and his siblings on Saturday. Devotees from various parts of the country and the world thronged to have a glimpse of Lord Jagannath while taking a bath. A Russian devotee said that Lord Jagannath unites all people in divine love.

On the occasion of Deva Snana Purnima on Saturday devotees flocked to Puri to witness the 'snana yatra' of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. Devotees from across the country and some foreigners thronged to have a glimpse of Lord Jagannath's ceremonial bath.

A Russian devotee said Lord Jagannath unites all people in divine love. "I have been staying in India for the last 25 years mostly in Brindaban. I came here to join the 'snana yatra' of Lord Jagannath. This is a great opportunity to see Lord Jagannath. For us, it is possible to have a glimpse only on this day. Lord Jagannath is Krishna. Everyone knows Krishna Janmashtami. Lord Jagannath unites all people in divine love. He is lord of the Universe. In Kalyaga Lord Jagannath unites all people by his big eyes. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is one big family, and Lord Jagannath is the supreme god" the Russian said.

A devotee from Bangladesh said that thousands of people come from Bangladesh to have a glimpse of the bathing ritual. Another devotee from Bangladesh said, "Every year we come here during the Deva Snana Purnima. We watch Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra taking bath together. After the bath Lord Jagannath becomes unwell and for 15 days we don't get the darshan. After that, the Rath Yatra commences. Thousands of people come from Bangladesh to have a glimpse of the bathing because in Puranas it is written that those who will watch it will get salvation. In Bangladesh also there are many Lord Jagannath temples."

Deva Snana Purnima of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra commenced this morning. All deities were brought to Snana Mandap to take the ceremonial bath. Lakhs of devotees gathered outside the temple to see the rituals. 'Debasnana Purnima', also known as 'Snana Yatra', is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, which usually falls in June. This festival holds immense religious significance, as it is believed to be the birthday of Lord Jagannath. The deities are taken out in a grand procession from the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple to the Snana Mandap, an elevated platform where the bathing ritual takes place.

Lord Jagannath along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, are brought out from the sanctum sanctorum to the Snana Mandap, a special bathing platform. On this day, the deities undergo a ceremonial bath with 108 pitchers of sacred water. After the bath, the deities are adorned in Gajanan Besa, which means they are dressed to resemble Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity. This unique attire, also known as Hati Besa, has deep symbolic meaning. On this day, the deities undergo a grand ritual bathing with 108 pitchers of sacred water, a practice believed to purify and honour them. This is one of the rare occasions when the deities are publicly visible, giving devotees a close view before the famous Rath Yatra.

Following this bath, it is believed that the deities become unwell and are moved into a period of seclusion known as "Anavasara," where they are kept away from public view for about 15 days. This period is considered a time of recuperation, as the deities are believed to suffer from fever due to the extensive bathing ritual. During Anavasara, the deities are offered special medicinal preparations known as 'Phuluri Tela' to aid in their recovery.

Devotees can have a glimpse of the 'Patti Dians' (painted images) of the deities during this time, instead of the actual idols. After the Anavasara period, the deities re-emerge for the grand Rath Yatra, where they are placed on their magnificent chariots and taken on a procession through the streets of Puri. This marks their annual journey to the Gundicha Temple, and it is one of the most celebrated and attended events, symbolising their blessing and grace upon all devotees. (ANI)

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