Mayurbhanj, June 22: Deva Snana Purnima Utsav, a famous festival of the Trinity, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra was smoothly conducted at the Dwitiya Shreekshetra (Second Shreekshetra) at Baripada in full devotional spirit and ritualistic way.

Thousands of devotees gathered at the Hari Baladevjiew Temple as the bathing rituals were conducted one after another in the scheduled manner. The deities were escorted from Ratna Simhasan to the bathing platform in Goti Pahandi amid chanting of Mantras and the sacred slogan of 'Jay Jagannath'.

Snan Purnima is also celebrated as the birthday of Kalia Sa'anta, the most lovable name of Lord Jagannath. It is said that gods and goddesses come down from heaven to the earth to witness the holy bathing of Lord Jagannath and His siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

The deities were brought to the Snana Mandap at around 4.30 am. They were bathed with raw coconut and Ganga water first. They were then bathed with 108 pots of auromatic water each

After that Chandanlagi (facial with sandalwood paste ) ritual was conducted following which priests and servitors offered Sakal Dhupa to the deities.

The deities were to be adorned with Hati Besha before going to a 14-day Anasar Ghar (Special House for treatment of the ailing deities).

The Snana Purnima Utsav is said to have been observed for a long time in this Hari Baladevjiew Temple established in 1575 by King Baidyanath Bhanjadeo of Bhanjabansa Dynasty

As many as three platoons of police force have been deployed for the smooth conduct of the Snan Purnima. An Additional SP, three DSPs, 44 officers, and 74 Home Guards managed the crowd. 12 officers were also deployed to oversee the traffic management in the city.

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