Puri, June 29: Preparations for the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath have commenced. Monday marks Snana Purnima, a day when it is believed that after bathing, Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, becomes unwell. Following this, they will retreat to the ‘Ansar Ghar’ (resting chamber) for 15 days.
During this period, the Ratna Simhasana of the deity remains empty due to the Lord’s ill health. To accommodate devotees, traditional paintings known as ‘Pati Devata’ are displayed, representing the deities.
These paintings are crafted using entirely natural colors. The white hue is derived from powder made from conch shells collected from the sea. This powder is finely ground, soaked in water, and heated to create a milky white color. The black color comes from soot obtained from burning lamp soot, wood charcoal, or coconut fibers. Red is made from the natural mineral Hingul (cinnabar).
Yellow is sourced from Harital (orpiment) or pure turmeric, while green is created from the juices of various medicinal and leafy plants. To ensure the colors are durable, natural gum from the wood apple is used as a binding agent, allowing the colors to adhere firmly to the canvas.
The canvas is prepared by coating it with a mixture of tamarind seed paste and chalk powder before painting begins. This process makes the surface smooth and strong, suitable for fine Pati artwork.
Artist Sevayat Shridhar Maharana explained that the Ansar Pati is an integral part of our traditional service to Lord Jagannath. This tradition has been passed down through generations. Its significance has been particularly noted since the worship of Lord Jagannath’s wooden idols began after the Snana Yatra.
He mentioned that during this period, the Lord does not grant darshan to devotees for 15 days. This time is considered extremely sacred and confidential. During this retreat, Lord Jagannath is depicted as Sri Anant Narayan, Lord Balabhadra as Sri Anant Vasudev, and Devi Subhadra as Bhuwaneshwari.
Shridhar Maharana stated that Sri Anant Narayan is painted in black, representing Lord Vishnu’s four-armed form. The traditional colors used for the deities follow specific guidelines. Throughout these fifteen days, the sanctum remains closed, and worship is conducted using these sacred paintings displayed in front of the temple’s closed doors.
He added that this service has been a family tradition passed down from ancestors. Each year, fathers teach their sons, ensuring the continuity of this practice. He emphasized that they never use chemical or synthetic colors; all hues are derived from natural sources. White comes from conch powder, yellow from Harital, red from Hingul, and black from traditional soot. All these colors are natural, eco-friendly, and traditional.
Using these colors, they create sacred Pati paintings according to established rituals. The preparation of these paintings requires dedication, discipline, and spiritual purity. They begin their work at 5:00 AM and continue until 5:00 PM. Only families with traditional permission and recognized as temple servants are allowed to perform this sacred service.
After the paintings are completed, they are worshipped at home around 3:00 AM. Following this, the paintings are ceremoniously taken to the temple for installation. One day before the end of the Ansar period, the ‘Pati Devata’ is formally removed, and worship concludes, allowing Lord Jagannath and his siblings to return for public darshan.
Shridhar Maharana expressed that fulfilling this ancestral and sacred service is a matter of pride and fortune for his family. Serving the Lord brings them immense satisfaction, devotion, and spiritual peace.
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