Home quarantine has become the new normal across the world during the COVID-19. But it has been practiced in Lord Jagannath Temple here since ancient times.
The Odisha government has tried to invoke the Odia religious tradition by highlighting how Lord Jagannath quarantines himself in “Anasar Ghar” (isolation room) before the annual Rath Yatra. This will persuade people to stay indoors and follow the quarantine norms of COVID-19.
“The example of Lord Jagannath’s quarantine is well accepted by the people and keeps them inside the house. The state government has also coined a slogan saying ‘Ghare Rukantu Sustha Ruhantu’ (stay home. Stay healthy),” Odisha government’s chief COVID-19 spokesperson Subrato Bagchi said.
Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra suffer from fever after being bathed with sacred water contained in 108 pitchers on Snan Purnima day.
The three deities of the 12th-century temple were then carried to ‘Anasar Ghar,’ where they are treated and eventually recover after 14 days. This tradition is observed every year for 14 days before Grand Rath yatra.
He encouraged anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 to seek isolation, claiming “Anasar” (quarantine) as an important element of Odia culture and tradition.
Quarantine refers to restricting the movement of the infected, to prevent the infection from spreading. According to Bhaskar Mishra, a Shree Jagannath culture researcher, the deities’ siblings also take ayurvedic remedies to recover their illnesses.
As a result, not leaving it to God’s mercy, persons who are suffering from any ailment should be given medicine to help their speedy recovery.
On the occasion of Dasami Tithi, the Lords’ ‘Chaka Bije Niti,’ is a ritual. It signifies an improvement in the condition of the deities which happened today.
According to Sarat Mohanty, a servitor-cum researcher in Jagannath culture, the deities, along with Lord Sudarshan and Madhab, are placed on three wheels in this ritual. The deities are offered “Chakata” and “Pana Bhoga” to overcome weakness and dehydration.
The ailing deities are served just fruits and water, combined with cheese and “Dasamula” (herbal) medications, by Pratihari Sevak. While Daitapati Sevayats perform secret rituals to treat them.
He claims that after a two-week herbal treatment, the deities are fully recovered and ready for the annual Rath Yatra, which will be organized on July 12 this year. The deities are given a touch-up and a fresh look before going out on the Rath Yatra, just like a person does after recovering from an illness.
Some rituals are done in the locked room during the Lord’s stay in Anasar (quarantine).
