Celebrating Deba Snana Purnima at the Jagannatha Temple in Puri – June 11, 2025
Today marks the annual Deba Snana Purnima festival at the famous Jagannatha Temple in Puri, which kicks off the Ratha Yatra scheduled for June 27, 2025. The rituals began early at 5:32 AM with the mangalarpana, the Deities Lord Jagannatha, Lord Balabhadra, and Subhadra Devi were escorted from the Ratna Bedi to the Snana Bedi or Snana Mandap.
During the traditional Pahandi procession, Sudarshana Prabhu ascended to Snana Mandap at 5:45 AM, followed by Lord Balabhadra at 5:53 AM, Subhadra Devi at 6:06 AM, and finally Lord Jagannatha at 6:22 AM.
The Honourable Chief Minister of Odisha, Sri Mohan Charan Mahi, along with Dr. Sambit Patra, MP of Puri, and Ashrit Pattanayak, Pipili MLA, attended the event to pay homage to Lord Jagannatha.
The Snana Yatra involves a sacred bath for the Deities using water from the “Suna Kua” (golden well) within the temple complex. At midday, 108 pots filled with aromatic water infused with medicinal herbs, saffron, sandalwood, and camphor are poured over the deities: 35 pots for Lord Jagannatha, 33 for Lord Balabhadra, 22 for Subhadra, and 18 for Sudarshana.
Lakhs of devotees gather to witness the rare sight of the three deities together, which happens only once a year.
Following the bathing ceremony, the Deities are adorned in Gajendra Besha. Subsequently, they fall sick and enter a 15-day quarantine period. During this Anavasara period, which lasts from Jyeshta Purnima to Ashada Amavasya, the Deities are treated with Ayurvedic medicines and are served with fruits and herbal drinks only.
Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling assured devotees that the current mild variant of Covid-19 poses minimal risk, with only 49 reported cases. He urged Covid-positive individuals to avoid attending the event. The state government has deployed over 300 doctors at primary health care centers and set up air-conditioned rooms for heat stroke sufferers to ensure the safety and well-being of attendees.
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