Puri: Lakhs of devotees witnessed the ‘Adharapana’ ritual of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra in the pilgrim town today.
People came from far off places made a beeline around the three chariots to see the ritual during which servitors break pots carrying the ‘pana’ to allow it to spill over the chariots. It is believed that evil spirits who roam around the chariots for salvation enjoy the drink and leave the spot.
Prior to this, the deities are offered ‘Pana’, a drink specially prepared by Mahasuara servitors out of milk, banana, cheese, aromatic spices and water, in the pots on their respective chariots.
The water required to prepare the drink is collected by Pania Apat servitors from a well on the premises of Chhauni mutt near the Singhadwara.
On Friday, devotees in large numbers had thronged the pilgrim town to witness the ‘Suna Besa’ of the trinity in which 138 types of gold ornaments weighing over two quintals were used for the besa of the deities.