Puri, June 17: Following the grand ceremonial bath on Snana Purnima, the deities are now being treated with herbal medicines under the supervision of the Raj Vaidya, the temple’s Royal Ayurvedic physician.
A special offering known as ‘Osa’, prepared by the temple cook or Sudha Suara, will be served to the deities as part of the Osa Lagi ritual. This ceremony involves applying medicinal pastes and lotions to the divine trio to aid their healing. The Osa will be brought from the Sudha Suara's residence and offered after the Madhyanha Dhupa. The Daitapati servitors are tasked with performing this ritual in the quiet hours of the night.
Currently, the deities are resting at the Anasara Pindi, a special secluded area within the Jagannath Temple where they undergo a symbolic period of illness and recovery. Here, they are administered a regimen of herbal treatments and oils specially prepared for their recuperation. They are also offered fruit juices and medicinal concoctions made from indigenous herbs and roots during this phase.
As part of the healing process, Phuluri Tela, a traditional herbal oil was applied to the deities yesterday. This therapeutic oil is a blend of fragrant flowers like Ketaki, Malli, Boula, and Champa, along with roots, sandalwood powder, camphor, rice, grains, and sesame oil. Although prepared annually during the Hera Panchami ritual of the Rath Yatra festival, it is applied to the deities in the following year during their hibernation period.
Meanwhile, the Rupakara Sevayats are working diligently on the construction of the three grand chariots for the upcoming Rath Yatra, which is scheduled to take place on June 27
