Following the grand Debasnana Purnima, where Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, is bathed with 108 pots of fragrant water, the deity is believed to fall ill with a fever.
This marks the beginning of the Anasara period, a time when the deities retreat to the Anasara Ghar for secret rituals and healing. On the fifth day of this sacred seclusion, a significant ritual unfolds as Daitapati servitors apply the revered Phuluri oil to the deities’ divine bodies.
This fragrant oil, meticulously prepared by the Bada Odia Math, is a cornerstone of the Anasara rituals. Each year, 6 sers of Phuluri Tela is crafted using a unique process: 14 varieties of flowers, 7 medicinal roots, and aromatic substances like jasmine, henna, and ketaki are blended with sesame oil.
The mixture is stored in an earthen pot, buried underground for a year, and unearthed a day before Debasnana Purnima. After filtration and sanctification in silver vessels by Pati Mahapatra servitors, the oil is massaged onto the deities, believed to bring relief from their fever.
The ritual, conducted after the midday offering at the Shree Jagannath Temple, underscores the deep spiritual bond between the servitors and the divine. Devotees hold that this ancient practice not only heals Lord Jagannath but also strengthens the cultural heritage of Puri.
As the Anasara period continues, the Daitapati servitors remain devoted to their secretive duties, ensuring the deities’ well-being before they re-emerge for the grand Rath Yatra.
