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-Sujata Muguda, Shreyas WebMedia Solutions
24 June 2024: A sea of worshippers assembles to see a heavenly display that serves as the prelude to the major Rath Yatra, the Snana Purnima, in the spiritual center of Odisha, amid hallowed chants and the steady beating of cymbals. This is the day that Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, participate in the celestial bathing ceremony, an occasion rich in grandeur and devotion.
Snana Purnima, which translates to the ‘Full Moon Bathing Festival,’ is celebrated on the Purnima (full moon day) of the Hindu month of Jyestha. It is a day of profound significance, as it symbolizes the purification of the soul before the commencement of the journey during the Rath Yatra. The rituals begin early in the morning when the deities are escorted in a ceremonial procession to the Snana Mandap, a special bathing platform within the temple premises.
The deities are bathed with 108 pitchers of sanctified water drawn from the Suna Kua, the temple’s golden well. The water, infused with aromatic herbs and essences, is poured over the deities in a ritual known as ‘Jalabhisheka.’ Lord Jagannath receives 35 pitchers, Lord Balabhadra 33, Devi Subhadra 22, and Sudarshan Chakra 18, each number carrying its symbolic meaning.
Post the sacred bath, the deities are adorned in the Hathi Vesha or elephant attire, symbolizing their strength and divinity. The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, the ceremonial king, performs the ‘Chhera Panhara’ – the sweeping of the bathing area, signifying that in the eyes of Lord Jagannath, everyone is equal, regardless of their social status.
However, the bathing ceremony is not just a visual delight but also a narrative of deep-seated beliefs. It is said that after the extensive bathing, the deities contract a ‘divine illness’ and retire to the ‘Anasara Gruha’ or the isolation chamber for a fortnight of rest and recuperation. During this period, the deities are not visible to the public, symbolizing a time of introspection and renewal for the devotees as well.
The Snana Purnima culminates with the deities re-emerging for the ‘Nabajauban Darshan,’ looking rejuvenated, just before the onset of the Rath Yatra. This period of seclusion and subsequent reappearance is a profound reminder of life’s cyclical nature, of endings and new beginnings.
The Snana Purnima is not just a ritual; it is a confluence of culture, faith, and tradition that brings together thousands, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. It is a testament to the unifying power of faith, where people from all walks of life come together in a shared spiritual experience, reinforcing the ethos of universal brotherhood that Lord Jagannath epitomizes.
As the deities are bathed and dressed, the air in Puri resonates with the chants of ‘Jai Jagannath,’ and the hearts of the devotees brim with devotion. The Snana Purnima stands as a beacon of hope and spirituality, a celebration of divine love and benevolence that continues to draw the world to the sacred shores of Puri.
