Puri, Jan 14: The sacred Mahasnana ritual of Lord Jagannath was performed at Puri Shreemandir today, leading to a temporary suspension of public darshan for nearly an hour.


According to temple sources, the ritual was necessitated after blood was found near the Jay-Vijay Gate, a key entrance of the shrine. In keeping with tradition, the temple priests conducted the Avakash Puja (rest ritual) followed by the elaborate Mahasnana ceremony, ensuring sanctity and purity of the premises.


The Mahasnana, considered one of the most important cleansing rituals of the Lord, involves ceremonial bathing and purification rites. Devotees were informed about the temporary closure, and darshan resumed smoothly after the completion of the rituals.


The temple administration coordinated the proceedings, with servitors performing the prescribed rites in accordance with age-old customs. The ritual reaffirmed the sanctity of the shrine and the deep spiritual traditions associated with Lord Jagannath.


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After about an hour, devotees were once again allowed to have darshan of the deities, with normal temple activities resuming thereafter. The Mahasnana ritual is regarded as a vital part of maintaining the spiritual and ritual purity of the Shreemandir.