Falls ill Himself in a divine game.
To feel the love His children show,
The Lord withdraws, yet lets it grow."
Every year, before the grand Rath Yatra, an auspicious ritual called Snana Yatra (Bathing Festival) is celebrated on Purnima (full moon) of the Jyeshtha month—during the peak of summer. This divine tradition is performed to offer a cooling relief to Lord Jagannath. On this day, the deities Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are ceremonially brought out from the sanctum sanctorum (Garbha Griha) of the Jagannath Temple in Puri and placed on the Snana Mandapa (bathing platform) within the temple premises.
Here, the deities are bathed with 108 sacred pitchers of water, drawn from the golden well inside the temple complex. Due to this elaborate and massive bathing ritual, it is believed that Lord Jagannath falls ill. The Lord, who cures the sufferings of the entire world by the mere utterance of His name, now playfully chooses to become ill, creating a divine leela (divine pastime) with His devotees.
As a result of this illness, the Lord's appetite fades, and He withdraws from public view. The temple doors are closed for fourteen days, during which no darshan (public viewing) of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, or Subhadra is allowed. This sacred period is known as "Anasara" or "Anavasara", which literally means ‘not available to the public’.
During Anasara, the deities are kept in a special recovery chamber inside the temple under the care of royal vaidyas (physicians). The deities are believed to be treated with herbal medicines and are offered a restricted diet consisting of medicinal khichdi, herbal laddoos, kaadha (herbal decoction), and Ayurvedic preparations instead of their usual grand offerings.
But the Lord cannot bear to be completely away from His devotees. Therefore, during this time, He manifests in another form—Lord Alarnath at the Alarnath Temple, located about 25 kilometers from Puri in Brahmagiri. It is believed that darshan of Lord Alarnath during Anasara yields the same spiritual merit as darshan of Lord Jagannath. Hence, thousands of devotees flock to Alarnath Temple during this period.
The Return of the Lord – Rath Yatra Begins
Additional Important Points:
On the fifteenth day, Lord Jagannath’s health is restored, and He regains His appetite. This marks the beginning of the most anticipated celebration—Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival). On this day, Lord Jagannath, along with Balabhadra and Subhadra, ascends His beautifully decorated chariot and embarks on a grand journey to the Gundicha Temple, which is believed to be the aunt’s house (Mausi Maa Mandir). This vibrant procession is witnessed by millions of devotees from around the world.
At the Gundicha Temple, the deities reside for seven days, accepting offerings, interacting with devotees, and spreading divine blessings. After their brief stay, they return to the Jagannath Temple in a return procession known as Bahuda Yatra.
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Snana Yatra is considered the first public appearance of the deities in the annual calendar.
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The Gajanan Besha (elephant attire) is adorned by the deities during Snana Yatra, believed to be a gesture to please Lord Ganesha.
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Anasara rituals are kept secret, and only a few servitors are allowed in the recovery chamber.
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During this time, artists prepare new paintings and decorations for the deities in anticipation of the Rath Yatra.
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The newly painted eyes of the deities are revealed on Netrotsava—a secret ritual performed the night before Rath Yatra.
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The period between Snana Yatra and Rath Yatra reflects themes of healing, separation, anticipation, and ultimate reunion between the Lord and His devotees.
This sacred tradition blends deep spiritual symbolism with dramatic cultural expression, showcasing the profound bhakti of the devotees and the playful divine leelas of the Lord. It reflects the unique human-like emotions attributed to God in Jagannath Sampradaya, reinforcing that the Lord not only rules the universe but also walks, rests, eats, and even falls ill—just to remain closer to His beloved devotees.
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