Snana Purima/ Snana Yatra Everything you need to know about!

Snana Purnima or Snana Yatra is one of the crucial events which is held just 15 days before the Ratha Yatra.

It is also known as Debasnana Purnima.

Literal meaning 

So let’s understand what Snana Purnima means. If we go by the literal meaning Snana means Bathing and Purnima means Full moon day.

When it Snana Yatra is held?

As said earlier snana Yatra or Snana Purnima is held 15 days before the Ratha Yatra and on the Full moon day of Hindu month Jyestha.

What mythology says about Snana Yatra?

This day marks the birthday of Lord Jagannath. As per Skanda Purana, this is the day when Raja Indradhyumna the ‘King of Puri‘ then organised this Divine bathing festival for the Idols of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra for the 1st time on this day before taking them to the main temple.

People also believe that if you see this festival or visit puri on this day, all your sins wash away. 

The venue where this ceremony takes Place is called Snana Mandap or Snana Bedi in the Jagannath Temple.

How is the Snana Yatra Ceremony Conducted

1st all the deities one by one are brought from the Ranta Singhasana to the snana Mandap one by one. Then the deities are bathed with 108 pots(କଳସ) of water from a well located at the northern part of the temple. 

Then after the bathing of all three deities is over, Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra are dressed up in Gajavesha which is also called Gajanana Besa. 

After Snana Purnima the Gods are believed to fall ill and kept for 14 days in a secret room known as Anasara Ghara. During these 14 days, the main temple (Ratna Mandap) is closed, and no devotees can see the Gods. They are said to be in Anasara where the rajvaidiya does the treatment for falling ill.

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