Puri, June 16: On the auspicious occasion of Anasara Panchami today, Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, will undergo the ancient 'Phuluri' oil treatment, also known as 'Phuluri Tela Seva.' This age-old ritual is a significant part of the deities' stay during the 'Anasara' period at Srimandir in Puri.
For over 1,000 years, this special treatment has been performed as part of a secret ritual. To understand its significance, let's explore the traditional practice and its purpose:
According to popular belief, the Phuluri oil treatment is performed to cure the Holy Trinity of the fever caused by excessive bathing during the ‘Snana Yatra.’ On Snana Purnima day, Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings, undergoes a ceremonial bath with 108 pitchers of herbal and aromatic water, which leads to their sickness. The application of Phuluri oil is believed to help the deities recover and rejuvenate their health before their grand procession during the annual ‘Rath Yatra.’
Phuluri Tela is applied to the Holy Trinity during their period of hibernation to ensure a swift recovery. This healing oil treatment has deep spiritual significance and is considered an essential step in the preparation for the famous Rath Yatra.
The Bada Odia Matha meticulously prepares the Phuluri oil each year. The process involves mixing sesame oil with 24 different ingredients, including fragrant flowers like Ketaki, Malli, Boula, and Champa, along with roots, sandalwood powder, camphor, rice, grains, and various herbs. Pure sesame oil, along with roots of Bena, Jasmine, Jui, and Malli flowers, are key components in the oil's preparation. After blending, the oil is stored underground for nearly a year to mature and become ready for use during the Deva Snana Purnima.
The deities, currently in their 15-day ‘Anasara’ stay at the temple, will experience healing through the Phuluri oil treatment, ensuring they are ready for the Naba Jaubana Darshan, which takes place a day before the grand Rath Yatra.
