Deba Snana Purnima is a significant festival dedicated to the Holy Trinity

Deba Snana Purnima is a significant festival dedicated to the Holy Trinity—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra. Every year, on the eve of Snana Purnima, millions of devotees flock to the sacred city of Puri in Odisha to witness the divine sight of the deities adorned in their Gajanan Besha (elephant attire) on the Snana Mandap at the Jagannath Temple.

After the sacred bathing ritual on the Snana Mandap, located near the Ananda Bazar within the temple complex, the deities are dressed in special attire. Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are adorned in elephant costumes, while Goddess Subhadra is dressed in the lotus flower Besha. The elephant costume is known as ‘Gaja’ or ‘Hati Besha,’ symbolizing their divine forms.

Snana Purnima is not just a ritual; it’s a celebration of divine purification and marks the beginning of the eagerly awaited Ratha Yatra, one of the most significant events in Odisha’s religious calendar.

Things to know about Snana Purnima of Lord Jagannath:

Occasion and Significance: Snana Purnima is an important religious event in the temple town of Puri, Odisha, where devotees celebrate the ritualistic bathing of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra on the full moon day of the Jyeshtha month (usually June).
Ritual of Bathing: On this day, the deities are bathed with 108 pitchers of sacred water, usually drawn from a special well within the temple, called “Potio” or the “Well of Nectar”. The water used is believed to have divine significance.
The Deities’ Sacred Bath: The ritual involves bathing the deities with various substances like water, milk, honey, and scented oils, symbolizing purification and preparation for the Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) that follows shortly after.
Auspiciousness of the Day: Snana Purnima is considered an auspicious occasion for devotees, marking the beginning of the holy period leading up to the famous Ratha Yatra, a massive procession in which Lord Jagannath is taken out of the temple on a chariot.
Public Viewing: The Snana Purnima ritual is carried out in the Jagannath Temple in Puri, and the deities are temporarily placed on the Snana Mandap (bath platform), where they are visible to the public. This is a rare opportunity for devotees to have a glimpse of the deities in a semi-nude state before they are draped in new clothes.
Absence of Darshan: After the bath, the deities are considered to be in a state of illness (called “Anasara”), and the temple is closed for 15 days for their recuperation. During this period, devotees do not have darshan (viewing) of the deities, which adds to the mysticism of the event.
The Rituals of Snana Purnima: The bathing of the deities is accompanied by grand rituals and mantras, including the chanting of sacred hymns. The priests perform the ceremonies with precision and devotion, creating an atmosphere of intense spiritual energy.
Devotee Participation: Thousands of devotees gather around the temple during Snana Purnima to witness the bathing ritual. The event symbolizes the purification of both the deities and the devotees’ hearts, promoting spiritual awakening.
The Symbolism: The bath signifies the removal of sins and impurities. It is believed that by participating in or witnessing Snana Purnima, devotees can purify themselves and attain blessings from Lord Jagannath.
Link to Ratha Yatra: Snana Purnima is an essential prelude to the Ratha Yatra, where the deities, after their “illness” period, are taken in a grand procession on huge chariots. The bathing ritual symbolizes the deities’ readiness for the journey and their blessing to all devotees.