Nilgiri, June 11: The holy rituals of Deva snana Purnima came to a peaceful conclusion today at Nilgiri in Balasore district, also known as Odisha’s “Third Shreekhetra.” This annual event is celebrated with great devotion and traditional customs.
The day began early in the morning with the Dwaraphita ritual. This was followed by other important rituals such as Senapata Niti, Mangalarpana, and Rajaniti Bandapana.
Prince Janmejaya Harichandan, son of King Jayanta Chandra Mardaraj Harichandan, came from the royal palace to take part in the sacred ceremonies.
He performed the Bandapana ritual for the deities and then took part in Cherapahanra, where he symbolically swept the path for the gods and goddesses as they were taken to the Snana Mandap.
The snan of the deities took place in order: first Sudarshan, then Lord Balabhadra, followed by Goddess Subhadra, and finally Lord Jagannath.
Before the bathing, the Mangala Arati, Avakasha Surya Puja, and Rosha Homa were conducted.
Watch Snana Yatra Live From Puri
Then the deities were bathed with aromatic water collected in special pots called kalashas. Each deity had a specific number of pots prepared:
35 for Lord Jagannath
33 for Lord Balabhadra
22 for Devi Subhadra
18 for Sudarshan
The water was made with sacred herbs and ingredients like sal leaves, nagapatra, ashwagandha, kasturi, camphor, sandalwood, and others.
Thousands of devotees gathered to collect or receive this holy water, which is believed to have healing powers when consumed or sprinkled.
After the bath, the deities were worshipped with the Sakaladhupa Puja and then dressed in the special Gajanan Besha, where they take the divine form of Lord Ganesha, a rare and beautiful sight for all present.
The evening will see more rituals like Sandhya Arati and Dakshina Arati. Later in the night, the deities will return to the Anasara Ghar, where they will rest, marking the conclusion of the day’s sacred events.
