TV
After taking divine bath with 108 pitchers of holy water on the occasion of Snana Yatra on Wednesday, Lord Jagannath and His sibling deities, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, are now in seclusion at ‘anasara pindi’ at Puri Srimandir.
The Holy Trinity will be staying at ‘anasara pindi’ from full moon night of ‘Snana Yatra’ till ‘navajouban’ darshan on next new moon day.
What is Anasara?
Anasara is a traditional observance during which the deities are believed to fall ill after the elaborate bathing ceremony. During this time, the Holy Trinity, who suffers from fever, is kept in a special chamber at the 12th century shrine known as the Anasara Ghara and treated like human beings.
What is Anasara Seva?
Anasara seva is a prime duty of daitapati servitors. During this period, special herbal medicines and phuluri oil (a concoction of medicinal herbs) are applied, and they are offered pana (a sweet herbal drink) for recovery.
On the day of ‘anasara panchami’, ‘phuluri’, a scented medicinal oil, is applied to the deities. This fragrant oil is mixture of sesame oil, chua or black oil, sandal wood, camphor and several other aromatic substances.
Similarly, ‘Osua Lagi’ is done from the day of sasthi till navami. ‘Osua’ is a paste made from jhuna (resin), sesame oil, water and some other natural products.
On ‘anasara’ ekadasi, paste of sandalwood, saffron and camphor is applied to the four idols. ‘Ghana Lagi’ is done on trayodashi.
It is followed by ‘Khali Lagi’ or application of a paste prepared from wheat flour. Then is the time for ‘Khadi Lagi’. Divine idols get coated with quicklime paste (khadi). The conclusive ritual of the day is ‘pata lagi’. Silk fabric over 35 feet in length is wrapped around the deities.
On chaturdasi, datta mohapatra servitors perform ‘Banak Lagi’ of deities. Using vegetative colours they regenerate the features of well known faces of revered deities.
By morning of amavasya or new moon day, deities become ready to provide darshan to awaiting devotees. So, it is called ‘navajouban darshan’.
Devotees Throng Alarnath
As the Holy Trinity remains in seclusion at the Anasara Ghara of Puri Srimandir, devotees throng Alarnath Temple in Brahmagiri- around 25 km away from Puri. During this Anasara period, devotees traditionally visit Lord Alarnath, considered a manifestation of Lord Jagannath.
Anticipating the large gatherings over the next 15 days, the administration has made elaborate arrangements. The temple doors will open at 4am, followed by Mangala Alati, Tadapa Lagi, Besha, Abakasha, and Gopal Ballav rituals. General darshan will begin at 6am.
