Puri, Jul 7: In a spiritually charged atmosphere, one of the most revered and visually captivating rituals of the Puri Rath Yatra, the Adharapana Niti, will be performed on Monday.

Held at the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Jagannath Temple, the ritual involves offering a sacred drink to the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra atop their three majestic chariots.

The Adharapana — a nourishing concoction prepared by the Suara Sevayats — includes ingredients like chhena (cottage cheese), banana, milk, black pepper, ghee, camphor, and nutmeg. Water used for its preparation is drawn by Pania Apata Sevayats from the sacred well of Chhauni Matha. The offering is then presented with prayers by temple priests before the clay pots carrying the drink are ceremoniously broken on the chariots.

The ritual carries deep spiritual significance. It is believed to satisfy the souls of Parshva Devatas (other deities), Chhanti Chamunda, and wandering spirits who dwell unseen near the chariots. Devotees believe that once the pots are shattered, the divine essence of the offering reaches these ethereal beings, granting them peace and fulfillment.

Thousands of devotees, filled with devotional anticipation, have gathered around the Singhadwara to witness this unique tradition. The event marks a critical spiritual pause before the deities return to the temple in the Niladri Bije ceremony.

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