Maha Snana: Know why and when Lord Jagannath, his siblings' purification bath is performed

The Deva Snana rituals in Srimandir on Sunday got delayed for some time as a purification bath called ‘Maha Snana’ of Lord Jagannath and his siblings was performed as per the rituals of the temple after blood stains were spotted near the ‘Snana Bedi’ or bathing altar. 

Sources said, a Jagannath Temple Police (JTP) personnel first spotted the blood stains and reported it to the servitors. It is suspected that any servitor might have sustained injuries during observation of ‘Deva Snana’ rituals. 

There are several occasions when the Holy Trinity has to undergo ritualistic purification through ‘Maha Snana’.

These are the occasions when ‘Maha Snana’ ritual is performed and the shrine is cleansed in a ritual called ‘Sodha’:

If a child passes urine inside the Srimandir 

If anyone vomits inside the Srimandir 

If blood stains are spotted inside the Srimandir 

If an animal (like Monkey) dies inside the Srimandir 

If a man dies inside the Srimandir 

If a dog is seen inside the Srimandir

If a skull or skeleton is found inside the Srimandir