Maha Snana ritual performed at Puri Jagannath temple after blood stains found

Puri, May 27: The Jagannath Temple in Puri has temporarily closed for public darshan on Monday as the Bada Maha Snana, a grand purification bath ceremony, of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, was performed after blood stains were found near the Dhukudi Dwara.

In response, the temple authorities promptly conducted the Maha Snana, a sacred purification ritual, temporarily suspending public darshan for about an hour.

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According to sources, servitors spotted traces of blood near the Bhitara Katha area during darshan hours. The stains are suspected to have resulted from a devotee’s leg injury. In adherence to long-established temple protocols, the Maha Snana ritual was initiated without delay to restore spiritual sanctity.

Unlike the regular bathing of the deities, Maha Snana is a unique and symbolic ceremony. During this ritual, sanctified water is poured over mirrors placed before the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, accompanied by the chanting of Vedic mantras. This ensures that the divine presence is not directly exposed while the symbolic purification takes place.

Such rituals are mandated whenever there is an occurrence of bodily fluids, human or animal death, or even animal intrusion within the temple premises. Another similar cleansing process known as Sodha is carried out periodically to maintain the spiritual hygiene of the temple.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration confirmed that all regular religious proceedings resumed seamlessly after the Maha Snana. Devotees were later allowed to continue their darshan as per the usual schedule