Bhubaneswar, June 22: Internationally acclaimed sand artist Manas Kumar Sahoo has intricately depicted the sacred bathing ceremony of the Chaturdha Murti — Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra, and the holy Sudarshan — on the snana mandap within the premises of Shree Jagannath Temple, on the occasion of Snana Purnima. Sahoo's artistic rendition, based on extensive research into the significance of the ceremonial attire adorned by the deities, beautifully portrays this annual event preceding the globally renowned Car Festival.
This ritual holds immense importance as it allows devotees to witness the divine darshan of the Lord from the Snana Mandap. One such devotee, Ganapati Bhatt, from South India, traveled to Puri despite worshiping only Lord Ganesha. In a remarkable display of divine grace, Lord Jagannath appeared to him in the form of Lord Ganesha, affirming the belief that the Lord manifests in the form desired by the devotee.
Sahoo's sand animation, meticulously crafted over eighteen hours for a duration of three minutes and thirty-five seconds, poignantly illustrates the profound connection between devotees and their chosen deity. His work not only captures the essence of religious devotion but also serves as a testament to the enduring spiritual significance of Snana Purnima at Shree Jagannath Temple.