Dr. Fakira Mohan Nahak
India is a land of rich cultural heritage and diverse religious practices, where ancient rituals continue to thrive in temples and shrines that have withstood the passage of time. Among these, the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha holds a distinctive position as one of the holiest pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is famed for its annual Rath Yatra, but preceding this grand event is another significant ritual known as Devasnana Purnima, the ceremonial bathing festival of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. This sacred occasion marks an important juncture in the temple’s ritual calendar and draws thousands of devotees and pilgrims to witness the rare spectacle.
Historical and Mythological Significance
Devasnana Purnima, also called Snana Yatra, is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Jyestha month (May-June) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. The ritual is believed to have been introduced in the 12th century by King Ananga Bhima Deva. According to the Skanda Purana, one of ancient scriptures, it is prescribed that the deities should be ritually bathed on this auspicious day, thereby sanctifying the environment and bestowing blessings on devotees.
Mythologically, it is believed that Lord Jagannath appears in this public bathing ritual to cleanse sins and provide darshan to devotees who may not be able to attend the Rath Yatra. The day is also regarded as the ‘Birthday of Lord Jagannath’ and is thus celebrated with grandeur.
The rituals of Devasnana Purnima are enriched by hymns and verses from various scriptures:
As per the Skanda Purana:
“Snanayatra mahatpunyam, sarva papa pranasanam;
Yatra snanam karishyanti, devanam paramam priyam.”
(That means: The bathing festival is highly sacred, absolving all sins; where the deities perform their bath, it is supremely dear to them.)
There is a reference in the Skanda Purana (Purushottama Kshetra Mahatmya) related to the significance of the Jyeshtha Purnima for purification:
“Pūrṇimāyāṁ Jyeṣṭhamāse śuddhiḥ syāt sarvadehīnām”
(That means: “On the full moon day of the Jyeshtha month, purification of all embodied beings takes place.”
The Ritual Process
The rituals of Devasnana Purnima are elaborate and meticulously observed by the temple servitors, known as Sevayats, following centuries-old tradition. The proceedings are as follows:
Procession of the Deities- Pahandi
Early in the morning, the deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, Sudarshana, and Madan Mohan and Ramakrishna (representative idols of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra) — are ceremoniously brought from the sanctum sanctorum to the Snana Mandapa (bathing platform) situated in the temple premises. This ritual, known as ‘Pahandi Bije’, is marked by the rhythmic beating of drums, conch blowing, and chanting of hymns.
Bathing Ceremony – Snana Vidhi
At the Snana Mandapa, a special ritual bath is performed. 108 pitchers (kalashas) of sanctified water from the Golden Well (Suna Kua) within the temple premises are fetched by designated priests. The water is mixed with various aromatic and herbal substances. The deities are then ritually bathed with this water, amidst Vedic chants and the singing of devotional songs. The act symbolizes purification and rejuvenation of the divine forms. It is believed that all teerthas are gathered in the holy water of golden well to take part in the bathing of the deities.
Sweeping of the Platform- Chhera Pahanra
Post the bathing ritual, the ceremonial cleaning of the Snana Mandapa, known as Chhera Pahanra, is performed by the Gajapati Maharaj (King of Puri), considered the first servitor of Lord Jagannath. The king, in a gesture of humility, sweeps the platform with a golden broom, signifying the equality of all before the deity.
There are a series of Post-Ritual Traditions after the Devasnana is over.
Elephant Attire- Hati Vesha
After the Snana Yatra, the deities are adorned in the unique Hati Vesha (elephant attire) — where Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are decorated to resemble elephants, while Devi Subhadra is dressed in a lotus form. This represents an ancient belief connecting the deities with Lord Ganesha and symbolizes wisdom and auspiciousness. There are different anecdotes regarding the Hati Vesha of the deities.
Period of Recuperation – Anasara
Following the elaborate bathing, the deities are believed to fall ill due to the sudden exposure to water and the coolant elements. Consequently, they are taken to a special chamber known as the Anasara Ghara (sick room), where they remain in isolation for about 15 days. During this period, devotees cannot have darshan of the original idols, and the temple follows unique rituals performed by specialized priests and Ayurvedic treatments are symbolically offered.
Public Darshan of Patta Chitra
To appease the devotees during Anasara, specially painted images of the deities known as ‘Pattidians’ or ‘Pattachitra paintings’ are displayed, allowing the public to continue their worship. In the form of Pattidians Lord Jagannath is worshiped as Sri Ananta Narayana, Lord Balabhadra as Sri Ananata Vasudeva and Devi Subhadra as Goddess Bhubaneswari.
Cultural Significance
Devasnana Purnima is not merely a ritualistic exercise but a grand confluence of devotion, culture, and community bonding. It sets the stage for the grand Rath Yatra (Car Festival) that follows after the deities recover. The rituals convey profound philosophical meanings — the vulnerability of even divine beings, the humility of kings before God, and the cyclical nature of life involving sickness and recovery. Moreover, it reinforces the inclusive philosophy of Sri Jagannath culture, where the Lord steps out from the sanctum to bless all devotees, transcending caste, creed, and social boundaries.
The rituals of Devasnana Purnima at the Sri Jagannath Temple in Puri are a testament to India’s living heritage and deep-rooted spiritual traditions. Through these ancient customs, the devotees not only seek divine blessings but also participate in preserving a timeless legacy. The grandeur, symbolism, and collective participation of people during this festival underline the enduring bond between the divine and the devotees in Sri Jagannath culture, making it one of the most cherished religious observances in Odisha and beyond.
( Dr. Fakira Mohan Nahak, Professor, Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, Manipal University Jaipur, Rajasthan. Call- 9937252464)
