Ganjam/Balasore, June 26:Thousands of devotees thronged the temple towns of Sorada and Nilagiri on Thursday to witness the auspicious Nabajouban Darshan of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, marking the divine reappearance of the deities after a period of seclusion known as Anasara.
In Sorada, the holy event drew a significant crowd as the deities appeared in their rejuvenated Nabajouban Besha (youthful attire). The darshan commenced after the completion of all early morning rituals (niti-kanti), with weather conditions remaining favorable throughout. Devotees, both men and women, began arriving early in the morning, creating an atmosphere of spiritual fervor as preparations for the upcoming Rath Yatra gain momentum. Local authorities confirmed that all logistical and safety arrangements had been finalized to ensure a smooth experience for the public.
Adding to the traditional significance, King Dr. Debadutta Singh Deo is scheduled to perform the royal rituals on Friday, in keeping with the temple’s age-old customs. Given the overwhelming turnout, police and local administration have ramped up crowd control and security measures in the area.
Simultaneously, in Nilagiri—home to the third most revered Jagannath temple in Balasore district—the Trio Deities made their public appearance after completing 14 days of Anasara and consuming the traditional Dashamula herbal treatment. Their return to health was ceremonially marked by a series of meticulously performed rituals.
The royal offering (Rajneeti Bandapana) was conducted by King Jayanta Chandra Mardaraj Harichandan and Queen Manoja Manjari Devi, followed by the symbolic Netra Daan—the ceremonial bestowal of divine vision to the deities. Devotees later participated in several rituals, including Mangala Alati, Avakash, Surya Puja, Dwarapala Puja, Ballava, Sakala Dhupa, Netrotsav Bandapana, and Sahanamela.
With the successful conclusion of these rituals, the deities granted Nabajouban Darshan to devotees, appearing in their resplendent youthful form, signifying their readiness to embark on the grand Rath Yatra.
The convergence of tradition, devotion, and royal heritage in both towns highlights the deep cultural and spiritual significance of the Nabajouban festival, setting the stage for this year’s Rath Yatra celebrations across Odisha.
