Puri, July 4:The sacred Anasara rituals of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are progressing at the Shree Jagannath Temple following the Snana Yatra. As part of the traditional healing rituals, the deities remain in the Anasara Ghara after falling symbolically ill following the ceremonial bath.
On the fifth night of the Anasara period, the ‘Sri Anga Phita’ ritual was performed, during which the sandalwood paste, ‘karala’ and other sacred medicinal substances applied to the deities' bodies were removed.
The sacred ‘Phuluri Oil’, an essential part of the Anasara rituals, will be ceremonially taken to the temple on Friday. The Daitapati servitors will apply the medicinal oil to the deities as part of the secret rituals believed to aid their recovery before the annual Rath Yatra.
The Phuluri Oil has been traditionally prepared at the Bada Odia Math in Puri under the supervision of Mahant Bansidhar Das Goswami. The rare medicinal oil is made using 24 ingredients, including cold-pressed sesame oil, aromatic seasonal flowers, medicinal herbs and roots.
As per tradition, the preparation begins on Hera Panchami. The ingredients are mixed and sealed in an earthen pot, which is buried at a designated spot within the Math premises. Flower-infused water is sprinkled over the site daily throughout the preparation period.
On the eve of Snana Purnima, the pot is unearthed, and the oil is filtered and stored in earthen containers. Following an official requisition from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, the sacred Phuluri Oil is ceremonially carried to the temple for use in the Anasara rituals.
