Deva Snana Yatra: A Divine Bath for Lord Jagannath

The Deva Snana Yatra is a significant annual festival celebrated in the holy city of Puri, Odisha. It marks the bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.

On this auspicious day, the deities are brought out of the Garbhagruha (sanctum sanctorum) in a grand procession called Pahandi. They are then placed on the Snanabedi, a specially constructed platform. Here, the deities are bathed with 108 pitchers of holy water drawn from the sacred Suna Kuan (Golden Well).

After the bathing ritual, the deities are adorned with the Hati Besha, where they resemble Lord Ganesha. This marks the beginning of the Anasara period, a 15-day seclusion during which the deities are not open to public view.

The Anasara period is a time of spiritual rejuvenation and secret rituals performed by the Daitapati sevaks. On the Pratipada tithi, the deities emerge from seclusion in the Nabajauvana Darshan, appearing youthful and radiant. This marks the beginning of the Rath Yatra festival, where the deities embark on a journey to the Gundicha Temple.