Puri, Jul 3: Following the ceremonial Snana Purnima ritual, during which the Holy Trinity was bathed with 108 pots of sacred water on the Snana Bedi, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are believed to have fallen ill. As part of the centuries-old tradition, the Daitapati servitors have begun conducting secret rituals inside the Anasara Ghara, praying for the speedy recovery of the deities.
On the fifth day of the Anasara period, observed on Friday, the ceremonial removal of sandalwood paste and medicinal coatings applied to the deities throughout the year will be carried out as part of the Sri Anga Phita ritual.
The following day, Saturday, the deities will undergo the Phuluri Lagi ritual, after which the Osua Lagi rituals will commence. Once the Osua Lagi is completed, the deities will be placed on the traditional wooden platforms as part of the ongoing healing process.
In keeping with the belief that the deities are treated like human beings during Anasara, they are offered a special diet, digestive preparations and herbal medicines. A traditional medicinal drink known as Pachana Pani is specially prepared and offered to the deities to aid their recovery.
The Anasara Pana, prepared exclusively by the Daitapati servitors, remains one of the most cherished ritual offerings among Jagannath devotees. The sacred drink is made using ingredients such as cream (sar), camphor and other traditional substances.
Throughout the Anasara period, the deities are offered Pana and Chakata Bhoga twice daily. Their diet is restricted to light offerings such as cream, fruits and other easily digestible items, reflecting the belief that they are recuperating from illness.
These unique healing rituals have been continuing ever since the deities were ceremonially moved to the Anasara Pindi late on the night of Snana Purnima, where they remain away from public view until their grand reappearance before the annual Rath Yatra.
