Today, the holy full moon day of Deba Snana Purnima, Mahaprabhu has descended from the Ratnavedi to the Snanavedi for a sacred bathing ritual.
This sacred bathing festival, observed on the full moon day of Jyestha, is one of the most visually grand and spiritually significant rituals in the Jagannath tradition.
As per tradition, the Chaturdha Murti—Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshan Chakra—were brought out of the sanctum sanctorum of the Shree Jagannath Temple and placed on the Snana Mandap.
Amidst the chants of devotees and the rhythmic beats of temple drums, the deities were bathed with 108 pitchers of sanctified water, drawn from the temple’s Golden Well.
Snana Purnima stands as one of the most revered and visually spectacular rituals in the Jagannath tradition, heralding the ceremonial commencement of the grand Puri Rath Yatra.
Following the sacred bath, the deities were adorned in the Hati Besha (Elephant Attire), a rare and revered form symbolising Lord Ganesha. This transformation is believed to bring blessings and remove obstacles for devotees.
After the Snana Yatra, the deities enter a 15-day isolation period known as Anasara, during which they are believed to recover from the ceremonial bath. During this time, devotees offer prayers to the Anasara Pata, a traditional painted cloth representing the deities, as public darshan remains suspended.
Significance of Gajanan Besha
The Gajanan Besha is a unique ritual where Mahaprabhu is adorned in elephant attire. This tradition is believed to have originated from a 15th-century legend of a Brahmin named Shri Ganapati Bhatta, a devotee of Lord Ganesha.
By observing this sacred ritual, devotees seek to connect with the divine and experience spiritual growth. The Deba Snana Purnima is a testament to the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Odisha.