‘Adhara Pana’ ritual ahead of Holy Trinity’s return to Srimandir concludes; know significance

One of the special rituals associated with world famous Rath Yatra - ‘Adhara Pana’ was conducted atop the three gigantic chariots of Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities- Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra parked near the Lion’s Gate (Singhadwar) in Puri on Thursday. 

Lakhs of devotees immersed in devotion and spirituality witnessed the unique ritual.

This unique ritual is observed on Asadha Shukla Pakshya Dwadashi Tithi, before the ‘Niladree Bije’ and after the ‘Suna Besha’.

‘Adhara’ (lips) and ‘Pana’ (sweet drink) literary means offering of sweet ‘pana’ to the deities in pots that touch their lips. The earthen pots were broken after the Adhara pana was offered to the deities.

Significance of ‘Adhara Pana’

The uniqueness of the ritual lies in the fact that each deity is offered a sweet drink (pana) from three huge cylindrical earthen pots on their respective chariots and no devotee will be allowed to taste it, let alone having it.  

According to Jagannath culture experts, the sweet ‘pana’ with the touch of the lips of deities is offered to the spirits that surround the chariots.

As per the age-old tradition, the pots are made by the potters of Kumbharpada and they are arranged by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Raghab Das Mutt and Bada Odia Mutt. 

Water is brought from a well near ‘Chhauni Matha’. Then ‘pana’ is prepared with milk cream, cheese, sugar, banana, camphor, nutmeg, black pepper and other spices, before being offered to the deities.

After the completion of Sodasha Upachara Puja, the aromatic drink is offered to the deities on their respective chariots. The ‘pana’ is also meant as a refreshment for the subsidiary deities who stayed on the chariots during Rath Yatra to guard the Lords during their journey. It is also believed that evil spirits, ghostly bodies and dissatisfied souls consume it to attain salvation.