Puri, July 10: Upholding a unique ritual associated with Lord Jagannath's Anasara period, the traditional ‘Anasara Bhara’ was dispatched from ‘Niali Madhava Temple’ in Odisha's Cuttack district to the ‘Shree Jagannath Temple’ in Puri on Friday.

The offerings were sent as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are believed to be recuperating after falling ill following the annual Snana Purnima ritual. In Jagannath tradition, Niali Madhaba is revered as the maternal home (mamu ghar) of Lord Jagannath, and the offerings are symbolically sent to the "nephew's home" during the deities' convalescence.

The Anasara Bhara included a variety of fruits such as mangoes, jackfruit, apples and grapes, along with sacred items including ghee, ‘jhuna’ (frankincense), sandalwood and other ritual materials required for the deities' care during the Anasara period.

According to local temple authorities, the tradition of sending the ‘Phala Bhara’ (fruit offerings) from Prachi Kshetra has been observed for the past seven years. Similar to the customary offerings made during Prathama Ashtami, devotees from Niali send these sacred offerings every year while the Holy Trinity remains in seclusion.

The ceremonial procession witnessed enthusiastic participation from devotees. Sankirtan groups accompanied the procession with devotional hymns, while folk artistes performed traditional dances, creating a festive atmosphere across the Niali region.

The sacred offerings were carried on the shoulders of the ‘Bharuas’ (traditional bearers), who undertook the journey to Puri with devotion and reverence, preserving a ritual that reflects the enduring cultural and spiritual ties between Prachi Kshetra and Shree Kshetra.