The district government has applied section 144 of the CrPC to prevent public gathering and movement due to Covid-19. This aided the smooth functioning of the Snana Yatra.
This year, the servitors performed the Divine bathing of Chaturdha Daru Vigrahas without the devotees. Servitors bathed the deities with a total of 108 pitchers of scented herbal water. The holy water was brought from the Suna Kua (gold well) near Sitala Mandir to Snana Bedi.
The entire sacred ceremony was broadcasted on television by Doordarshan. The stream was shared with various networks by the Information and Public Relations Department. The servitors and authorities who took part in the rituals had their RT-PCR negative reports. Most of the servitors were completely vaccinated.
Lord Jagannath received 35 pots, Lord Balabhadra 33 pots, Devi Subhadra 22 pots, and Shri Sudarsan 18 pots. The Holy water used for the great bath is not the normal water. The water is sacred and naturally scented as well with various herbs and flowers.
It is believed that after this the Chaturdha Murati (Mahaprabhu Jagannath, Balabhadra & Devi Subhadra) will fall ill. They will be kept isolated for the next 15 days. During these days, various treatment rituals are performed by the servitors.
During this period no devotee is allowed to worship. This is an occasion in which Lord Alarnath’s temple receives the crowd. But this year temple will remain closed for the devotees due to Covid-19.
Unlike every year Dibyasingha Deb did not perform the Chhera Panhara (ceremonious sweeping) after the bathing procedures. Mudirastha, his representative, completed the ceremonies in his absence.
The Puspalak and Dutta Mohapatra sevayats decorated deities with holy Besha. Lord siblings along with Chakraraj Sudarsan, were given the majestic Hati Besha or elephant attire, after the great bath.
“On the most sacred occasion of Debasnana Poornima, I offer my humble prayers at the Lotus Feet of Shree Shree Chaturdha Daru Vigraha for the welfare and well-being of all humanity,” Gajapati said in a statement.
According to the head administrator of the Temple Association, the temple would be closed to devotees until July 25.
