The sacred town of Puri came alive with spiritual fervour as the Adhara Pana ritual, a cherished highlight of the Jagannath Rath Yatra, was performed on Monday evening.
Conducted on the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra stationed at the Singhadwar of the 12th-century Jagannath Temple, this ceremony drew lakhs of devotees.
Held after the Madhyana Dhupa, the ritual involved offering a divine sweet drink called “Adhara Pana” in nine large, barrel-shaped earthen pots—three for each deity—symbolising humility, devotion, and spiritual fulfilment.
The Adhara Pana, a sacred blend of chhena, milk, sugar, cardamom, camphor, nutmeg, and other spices, was prepared by Suara Sevayats using water sourced from a well near the Singhadwar Chhauni Math, carried in brass vessels by Paniya Apat Sevayats to maintain ritual purity.
The Bada Odia Math and Raghav Das Math, in collaboration with the temple administration, crafted this offering. After a Panchopachara puja by the Palia Puja Panda servitors, the earthen pots were ceremonially broken on the chariots, an act believed to satisfy the deities on the chariot sides, including Chandi Chamunda, and bring peace to disembodied souls.
The ritual began with Lord Balabhadra’s Adhara Pana, followed by Devi Subhadra’s, and concluded with Lord Jagannath’s. With thousands of devotees thronging the Grand Road (Bada Danda), the Puri district administration deployed approximately 200 police platoons to ensure robust security and smooth crowd management.
The Adhara Pana, a pivotal moment of the Ghosha Yatra, set the stage for the festival’s culmination with the Niladri Bije Ritual on Tuesday, July 8, when the deities returned to the Ratna Singhasana of the Jagannath Temple.
This year’s Rath Yatra, rooted in centuries-old tradition, continues to captivate global audiences, cementing Puri’s place as a spiritual beacon.
The Adhara Pana ritual, with its profound symbolism of surrender and devotion, underscores the rich cultural and religious heritage of Odisha.
