Puri, Jun 29: The holy city of Puri is witnessing one of its most revered rituals on Monday as lakhs of devotees gathered to celebrate Debasnana Purnima, also known as Snana Yatra.

This annual festival, held on the full moon day of the Jyestha month, marks the ceremonial bathing of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshan on the Snana Mandap.

The Sacred Rituals Underway

The day began with Mangalarpana at 5:05 AM, followed by the ceremonial Pahandi Bije. First, Lord Sudarshan was carried in a grand procession, and by 7:29 AM, the Chaturdha Murti — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshan — had reached the Snana Mandap. The rituals continued with Mangala Alati and preparations for the divine bath.

Between 12 PM and 2 PM, the Jal Bije and Snana Niti will be performed, where the deities will be bathed with 108 pitchers of sanctified water drawn from the Swarna Koop near Shitala Devi temple. The water was infused with herbs, roots, and sacred substances as prescribed in scriptures, symbolizing purification and divine energy.

Gajanana Besha

Following the bath, the deities will don the rare Gajanana Besha/Hati Besha (Elephant Attire), a tradition linked to the devotion of Ganapati Bhatt, a Brahmin from Maharashtra.

According to legend, Lord Jagannath assumed the Gaja Besha (Elephant Attire) out of devotion to Ganapati Bhatt. To fulfil the wish of a devotee of Lord Ganesh, the Lord appeared in the form of Ganapati. It is said that Lord Jagannath granted the desire of Ganapati Bhatt by manifesting in the rare elephant attire.

Ganapati Bhatt, a staunch devotee of Lord Ganesh, once came to Puri after hearing of Lord Jagannath’s glory. However, upon seeing the wooden idols (Darubigraha), he could not perceive the elephant form of Ganesh. Disappointed, he refused to accept Lord Jagannath as the Supreme Brahman and left the temple in anger.

The following day was Debasnana Purnima. On the Lord’s command, the chief priest (Badapanda) invited Ganapati Bhatt to witness the bathing ritual. During the sacred ceremony, the idols of Lord Jagannath and the other deities appeared in the form of Lord Ganesha.

Witnessing this miraculous event, Ganapati Bhatt attained enlightenment and realized his mistake. Overwhelmed with devotion, he prayed to the Lord, who was pleased and promised to appear in the Gajanana Besha every year on Debasnana Purnima.

The attire preparation is carried out at Gopal Tirtha Matha and Raghav Das Matha, reaching its final stage.

Devotee Arrangements & Police Advisory

With lakhs of devotees and tourists arriving in Puri, the police made extensive arrangements to ensure safety and smooth conduct. Authorities urged visitors to follow instructions from police, lifeguards, and volunteers. Bathing was restricted to designated safe zones, and parents were advised to keep children under close watch.

Puri Police also set up official lockers and deposit counters at multiple locations including the temple office, Surya Complex, Marichikot Square, Town Police Station, and Market Square for safe storage of belongings. Emergency assistance was made available via helpline numbers 112, 6370967100, and WhatsApp chatbot 8763199400.

The advisory emphasized avoiding deep sea areas, refraining from alcohol consumption on the beach, and respecting safety announcements. Devotees were also encouraged to wear light clothing and stay hydrated.

Sand Art Tribute

Adding to the spiritual grandeur, renowned international sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo, along with his students, created a magnificent sand sculpture in Bhubaneswar depicting the divine bathing ritual. Completed in just two hours, the artwork beautifully captured the essence of devotion, purity, and Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. It carried the message of preserving traditions and inspiring the younger generation to remain connected to Lord Jagannath’s spiritual legacy.

Historical & Scriptural Significance

Debasnana Purnima is considered the birthday of Lord Jagannath. Scriptures narrate that during Lord’s first manifestation, King Indradyumna performed the bathing ritual on a wooden platform, known as Mancha Snana. Since then, the tradition has continued.

The deities are bathed with 108 pitchers of water – 35 for Lord Jagannath, 33 for Lord Balabhadra, 22 for Devi Subhadra, and 18 for Lord Sudarshan.

After the ritual, the deities are believed to fall ill with fever and remain in seclusion for 15 days, known as Anasara. During this period, devotees cannot see them and instead visit Alarnath Temple in Brahmagiri for darshan, which is considered equally auspicious.