Puri, Jan 9: The sacred Jagannath Temple witnessed the performance of the Bada Maha Snana ritual today after an incident near the Bhitarkatha area. Temple authorities said the ritual became necessary after vomiting was reported close to the sanctum, prompting a purification ceremony to restore sanctity.

Following the Tadapalagi ritual, the Bada Maha Snana was conducted in accordance with tradition. During the ceremony, darshan for devotees was temporarily suspended for nearly an hour, the temple administration said, stressing that the pause was essential to ensure smooth conduct of the rituals and maintain the temple’s sanctity.

The Bada Maha Snana is a key purification ritual in temple tradition, symbolizing the cleansing of the premises and the restoration of divine order. Once the ritual concluded, normal darshan resumed, allowing thousands of pilgrims to continue their spiritual visit.

Officials from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) stated that such measures are undertaken promptly whenever ritual purity is affected, ensuring adherence to age-old customs. Devotees expressed understanding, acknowledging the importance of preserving the sanctity of the temple and its rituals.