Lakhs of devotees thronged the Jagannath Temple in Puri on the auspicious occasion of Snana Purnima to witness the rare and sacred Hati Besha, also known as Gajanan Besha of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.
As part of this age-old tradition, the deity takes the divine form of an elephant, signifying Lord Ganesha’s presence and blessings upon all.
The Snana Purnima festival marks the grand bathing ritual of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sudarshan Chakra. After the ceremonial bath, the deities adorn the Gajanan Besha, a sight revered by devotees. Mythological significance suggests that this tradition originated when a devotee longed to see Lord Jagannath in Ganesha’s form, and the Lord fulfilled this divine wish.
Devotees believe that witnessing this unique besha ensures spiritual prosperity and blessings. Pilgrims from across India and beyond arrive in Puri to experience this rare spectacle, making it a grand spiritual congregation.
As the divine aura of Lord Jagannath in his elephant form captivates the masses, Puri continues to stand as a beacon of devotion and tradition. The festival will conclude with the deities’ return to their sanctum, preparing for the much-awaited Rath Yatra.
