Lord Lagannath and his sibling’s holy bath ceremony
By: Poonam Singh
Last updated: 19 Jun 2023, 02:46 PM IST
Pahandi Bije' of the Holy Trinity. Lord Jagannath being taken to the snana mandap in ritualistic pahandi for holy bathing.
Holy Trinity atop Snana Bedi
Ahead of the ceremonial bath, the sibling deities are covered in silken cloth. Sandalwood paste, camphor, Saffron and 'Chua' are mixed with the holy water stored from the golden well near Devi Shitala Temple.
Maha Snana Rituals: Priests chant long mantras as they pour 108 pots of sanctified water over the Holy Trinity. Lord Jagannath is bathed with 35 pots of scented water, Lord Balabhadra 33 pots, Devi Subhadra 22 & Chakradhar Sudarsan with 18 pots of water.
Puri Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb performs Chhera Pahanra rituals at the Snana Bedi.