Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra took holy shower at the Snan Mandap of the Shreemandir here on Thursday on the sacred occasion of Dev Snan Purnima (Jyestha Purnima).
The temple servitors carried out the Snan Yatra rituals of the deities while the Bada Danda (Grand Road) wore a deserted look as devotees’ congregation had been prohibited by the Gvernment in view of the Covid-19 situation.
In the morning, the idols had been brought out from Ratna Bedi (inner sanctum of the temple) to the Snan Mandap by the servitors in Pahandi, a traditional procession. Like previous year, Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb abstained from performing Chhera Pahanra (sweeping of floors) during the Snan Yatra as two of his home staffs have tested Covid positive. On his behalf, Narayana Mudirasta (16), the youngest servitor of the shrine performed the ritual at the Snan Mandap.
The deities were bathed 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 a shower with 33 pots of water, Devi Subhadra with 22 pots and Lord Sudarshan took bath with 18 pots. After the 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 the Anasar Ghar for treatment, for which specific rituals are performed. This period of isolation is called Anasar, 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 Netrotsav or Naba Jaubana Darshan.