The Mystery Behind Lord Jagannath's 15-Day Illness After Snana Yatra Ritual

Puri: Before Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra, an important ritual is performed, known as the Snan Yatra. On the full moon day of Jyeshtha, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra take a special bath, which is why this day is called Snan Purnima and this tradition is called Snan Yatra. 

When will the Rath Yatra take place?

The Snan Yatra took place on Monday and the Rath Yatra will be held on July 16. Before the Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are bathed with about 108 kalash of water, which leads to them falling sick. The water is drawn from the Suna Kua or golden well within the temple premises.

According to tradition, this extensive bath makes the deities sick, leading to a period known as ‘Anasara’. Just before the Rath yatra starts, Lord Jagannath falls ill for 15 days and stays in isolation 

What is Snan Purnima?

The Snan Yatra festival marks the formal beginning of the famous Rath Yatra. On this day, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are bathed with holy water from 108 pots. This water comes from a special sacred well, which is opened only once a year. This water is mixed with special herbs and perfumes, and the three deities are bathed. 

The deity is adorned with special adornments. Lord Jagannath wears the Gajavesha (an elephant costume), meaning his face is decorated as Gajanana. There is a legend that tells the story of a devotee of Lord Ganesha who wished to see Lord Jagannath, and he appeared to him in the form of Gajanana. Even today, following this tradition, Lord Jagannath wears the Gajavesha every year on the day of the Snan Yatra. 

After this Mahasnan, Lord Jagannath becomes symbolically ill and remains in seclusion for 15 days. During this time, devotees are not allowed to see the deity. Priests offer various types of decoctions to the deity. 

After a 15-day period, the Lord recovers and appears to devotees in a youthful form. 

What is Lord Jagannath’s Rath yatra?

The Rath yatra, or the Chariot festival, is one of the most grand festivals dedicated to Lord Jagannath. This annual event attracts millions of devotees from around India and the world, and everybody only wishes to see Prabhu. Rath yatra involves the deities being taken out of the Jagannath Temple and placed in massive, beautifully decorated chariots, which are then pulled by devotees through the streets of Puri.

Following this, several religious rituals begin, and then Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra embark on three divine and magnificent chariots, heading for the Gundicha Temple. Devotees from across the country and the world arrive to pull the ropes of these chariots. 

It is believed that devotees who even touch the chariot's ropes are liberated from the cycle of life and death and attain salvation. Simply witnessing the Rath Yatra destroys sins and bestows the merits of visiting all the pilgrimage sites.