Deba Snana Yatra, the grand bathing festival of Lord Jagannath is all set to be held tomorrow at Puri Srimandir. The event marks the prelude before the commencement of the annual Rath Yatra festivities in the holy town.
Considered as one of the most pious occasions for Hindus to have darshan of the Holy Trinity, the Snana Purnima promises reverberance of spiritual fervour, but this year too, there will be a discernible silence of devotees, the fanfare and the usual lively mass which is the festival’s biggest aspect due to Covid pandemic restrictions.
With the festival banned at places in Odisha except for Puri due to the pandemic resurgence, the district and police administration have put in place elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event under strict adherence to Covid guidelines. Puri Collector Samarth Verma reviewed the activities today ahead of the festival.
Preparations are in final stages to kick off the bathing ritual of the three deities from 7.30 am tomorrow. In view of the Covid guidelines and Supreme Court order, only selected servitors have been identified to participate in the rituals.
As per the official sources, all servitors and support staff like government officials, police have been tested for Covid and around 90% of samples have been found negative and cleared for go ahead. This apart, second dose vaccination has also been administered to the servitors in order to ensure that infections do not spread during rituals like Pahandi.
All Palia servitors have been issued special passes for hassle-free movement during the occasion. The passes will remain valid till the completion of the festival.
Security Arrangements
In order to ensure public congregation during the festival, section 144 of the CrPC will be clamped in Puri from 10 pm tonight. The prohibitory orders will remain in force till June 25. Only selected people and those with essential and emergency services will be allowed permission into the town during the hours.
District Police has cautioned people to refrain from violating the restrictions or else face penal actions. A total of 35 platoons of police force have been mobilized to smoothen the organisation of the festival. As many as five ASPs, 23 DSPs, and 41 IICs will remain on duty for security purposes. The town has been divided into six zones based on security aspects and 15 CCTV camera points have been installed to monitor the movement of the people.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration will live telecast and webcast the religious event and the State I&PR department has made necessary arrangements.
During the Snana Purnima, the Holy Trinity is bathed with 108 pitchers of aromatic and herbal water. After the ritual, the deities fall sick and recuperate from the illness during the next fortnight in a secret chamber called Anasara before reappearing during Rath Yatra.