Puri, July 7: The revered Adharpana ritual was performed atop the three chariots near Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Monday evening, marking one of the final ceremonies of the Rath Yatra festival of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.  

This ancient tradition, observed on Ashadha Shukla Dwadashi, involves offering a sacred sweet drink to the deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra — seated on their respective chariots.

The ritual began at 4:30 PM and continued until 9 PM, drawing thousands of devotees and spiritual seekers. Prepared by Mahasuara servitors, the drink known as Adharpana is made from milk, banana, chhena (cheese), camphor, nutmeg, black pepper, and water. It is poured into nine large earthen pots per chariot, which are then deliberately broken, allowing the sacred liquid to flow across the chariot platforms.

Unlike other offerings, Adharpana is not meant for human consumption. It is symbolically offered to subsidiary deities, spirits, and unbodied souls believed to accompany the divine siblings during their annual journey. According to the Jagannath culture, the ritual quenches the thirst of these invisible beings and ensures their liberation.

The deities will remain on their chariots overnight before returning to the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple during the Niladri Bije ritual on July 8, officially concluding the Rath Yatra festivities.

The Odisha Police made elaborate security arrangements along the Grand Road here, ensuring smooth conduct of the ritual.