Bhubaneswar, June 30: The ISKCON temple in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, celebrated Dev Snan Purnima with immense devotion, faith, and traditional Vedic rituals. On this occasion, a grand abhishek of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshan Chakra was performed using water from 108 sacred pots, attracting a large number of devotees for darshan and worship.
The temple complex was filled with a vibrant atmosphere of devotion. From early morning, a crowd of devotees gathered, engaging in bhajans, kirtans, and various religious rituals throughout the day.
A representative from ISKCON Bhubaneswar, Aptakam Das, shared with a news agency that the celebration of Dev Snan Purnima was organized in accordance with the traditions of Jagannath Puri. Just as the bathing festival is celebrated at the Jagannath temple in Puri, similar customs were followed at the ISKCON temple in Bhubaneswar. The program commenced at 4:30 AM with Mangala Aarti, followed by a special adornment of the deities, concluding with the decoration Aarti at 7 AM. After the Aarti, special offerings were made to the deities, and the priests prepared Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshan for the bathing ceremony.
Around 10 AM, the deities were seated on the bathing platform in the traditional ‘Pahandi’ style. The grand abhishek began between 11 and 11:30 AM, where the deities were bathed with water from the 108 sacred pots, along with yogurt, ghee, milk, honey, and other holy substances, following the Shodashopachara method.
After the abhishek, the deities were adorned in a special ‘Hathi Vesh’ (elephant attire), generating excitement among the devotees. Following the adornment, 56 different types of offerings were prepared for the deities, after which the Aarti was performed, and the doors for darshan were opened for the devotees. In the evening, a grand religious program was held in the temple complex, featuring bhajans and kirtans in front of Lord Jagannath, continuing until around 11 PM, with many devotees chanting the names of the Lord.
He further explained that after the bathing ceremony, the deities would be taken to the ‘Anasar Ghar.’ According to religious beliefs, the deities remain unwell for 15 days post-bathing. During this period, special services are rendered, and only fruit offerings are made, while rice offerings are avoided. The priests serve the deities following all rituals and traditions.
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