Puri, July 5: The sibling deities were moved to Anasara Ghar (an asylum for the sick) on the Jagannath Temple premises in Puri town after reportedly falling ill from bath with 108 pitchers of herbal and aromatic water on June 22. With Srimandir closed for public darshan, devotees are flocking to the Alarnath temple in Brahmagiri.
During the two-week period while the Lords recuperate, the temple engages in specific rituals. According to the sources, the ailing deities are offered only fruits and water, mixed with ‘Dasamula’ (herbal) medicines. Daitapati Sevayats perform secret rituals to aid their recovery.
Patti Dians and Anasara Rituals
During the ‘Anasara’ period, traditional Pattachitra paintings of the three deities, known as Patti Dians, are worshipped at the temple. These paintings depict Lord Jagannath as Lord Vishnu, Devi Subhadra as Adishakti, and Lord Balabhadra as Lord Shiva. The Dasaavatara (ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu) idol is also venerated.
Rituals such as Mangala Alati and Abakasha Niti are performed near the Patti Dians. Offerings of Gopala Ballava Bhoga are made to them and the Dasaavatara idol, followed by Sakala Dhupa, Bhoga Mandap, and Madhyanaa Dhupa rituals.
Healing Rituals and Phuluri Tela Application
The deities reside in Anasara Pindi during this time and are offered Pana Bhoga by Pati Mahapatra for their healing. Medicines, including Jhuna, Kaintha Atha, and other herbs, are also administered by the Daitapatis.
Bada Odia Mutt, the Adi Pitha of Atibadi Jagannath Das, prepares Phuluri Tela (oil) for the deities. This oil, made from flowers such as ‘Ketaki’, ‘Malli’, ‘Boula’, and ‘Champa’, along with roots, sandalwood powder, camphor, rice, and grains, is primarily sesame oil. It is applied to the idols on Ashtami to protect them from moths and insects.
Additional Rituals
Following the oil massage, ‘Kaintha Atha’ (wood apple) is applied to the deities, and new clothes are provided. Since the idols are made of wood, ‘Badagrahies’ conduct a thorough inspection during this period. ‘Khadi’ (primer) is applied on ‘Khadilagi Ekadasi’. ‘Chaka Bije Niti’ is then held on Dasami, indicating the deities' recovery after being seated on the wheels.
On Ekadasi, the ‘Khadilagi’ and ‘Rakta Bastra lagi’ rituals are conducted. During ‘Dwadasi’, ‘Raja Prasad Bije Niti’ involves Daitapatis presenting items of the sibling deities to the Gajapati Maharaja, the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, to inform him of their recovery.
On ‘Treyadashi’, the ‘Ghanalagi’ ritual takes place, during which Ghana, made of ropes, is tied to the deities, a process that lasts over 10 to 12 hours. This is followed by the ‘Banakalagi’ ritual, where the deities are painted with new colours. Notably, these colours are chemical-free, with the main ingredient being Kasturi Nabhi (musk from a stag’s navel), which is sourced from Nepal.
Nabajouban Darshan
After the ‘Ghanalagi’ and ‘Banakalagi’ rituals, the deities are adorned in ‘Nabajoubana Besha’ on Amabasya. “This signifies that the deities are cured and ready to showcase their rejuvenated youth to the devotees,” said Gochhikar. During this time, the wooden idols are inspected for any damage, and old layers are replaced with new ones using natural preservatives.
This entire process can be seen as the annual maintenance of the wooden idols, ensuring their longevity and sanctity.
