Puri: Deva Snana Purnima, also known as Deva Snana Yatra of the three deities Shree Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra is underway at the famous Srimandir in Puri today.
It is observed on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, which typically falls in the month of June.
During Deba Snana Purnima, the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are taken out of the Jagannath Temple in Puri and brought to a sacred bathing spot called “Snana Bedi.” The deities are placed on a bathing platform, and a grand bathing ceremony takes place, where they are bathed with 108 pitchers of water.
The completion of the ‘Chhera Panhara’ ritual, the main attraction of the festival ‘Hati Besha’ or ‘Gajanana Besha’ is conducted.
While Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra adorn the ‘Hati Besha’ or the ‘Gajanana Besha’, Devi Subhadra appears in Padma Besha (Lotus attire).
After the Snana Yatra, the deities are placed in a special sick room within the temple, known as the “Anasara Pindi.” They stay there for a period of 15 days, during which they are believed to undergo a period of recuperation. Devotees are not allowed to see the deities during this time.
The festival of snana jatra culminates with the famous Rath Yatra, where the deities are taken out in grand chariots and pulled by devotees to the Gundicha Temple.
