Puri: The sacred Anasar ritual began at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri after Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra underwent the traditional Snan Yatra, during which the sibling deities received a ceremonial bath with 108 pitchers of holy water.

According to temple traditions, the deities are believed to fall ill after the grand bathing ritual and remain in isolation for a fortnight. During this period, the temple’s sanctum remains closed to devotees until the deities reappear before the annual Rath Yatra.

Anasar ritual begins

The Anasar period commenced on Tuesday, a day after the ceremonial Snan Yatra at the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple.

As per centuries-old traditions, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are believed to develop a fever following the elaborate ritual bath.

The deities are then moved into seclusion, where they are said to undergo treatment under the care of the temple’s ‘Raj Vaidya’ or royal physician.

During this period, devotees are not permitted to have darshan of the deities as the rituals are performed privately in accordance with temple customs.

Special rituals during isolation

Religious scholar Pandit Suryanarayan Rath Sharma explained that the deities are treated like human beings during the Anasar period.

Instead of the regular Mahaprasad offerings, the deities are presented with fruits, cheese and specially prepared Ayurvedic ladoos as part of the traditional healing rituals.

Temple customs believe that the divine siblings recover from their illness during the 14-day isolation before reappearing before devotees.

Temple to reopen before Rath Yatra

The Shree Jagannath Temple will reopen its sanctum a day before the annual Rath Yatra, scheduled to be held on July 16 this year.

Before the chariot festival, the freshly repainted idols of the deities will be presented for public viewing during the Nabayauvana Darshan, marking the conclusion of the Anasar period.

Thousands of devotees are expected to visit the temple for the special darshan before the commencement of the world-famous Rath Yatra.

Devotees visit Alarnath Temple

While the deities remain in seclusion at Puri, devotees traditionally offer prayers at the Alarnath Temple in Brahmagiri, located around 25 kilometres from Puri.

The temple is believed to represent Lord Jagannath during the Anasar period and witnesses a significant increase in devotees seeking darshan.

Large crowds gathered at the temple on Tuesday following the commencement of the ritual.

Security arrangements strengthened

Anticipating heavy footfall during the Anasar period, the Puri district administration has implemented extensive security arrangements at the Alarnath Temple.

Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Satyajit Naik said seven platoons of police personnel have been deployed to manage crowds and maintain law and order.

Additionally, more than 50 CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic locations to monitor the movement of devotees and ensure their safety throughout the festival period.

Conclusion

The commencement of the Anasar ritual marks an important phase in the annual religious calendar leading up to the Rath Yatra. As the deities remain in ritual seclusion, devotees continue their spiritual observances at the Alarnath Temple before the grand reopening of the Shree Jagannath Temple ahead of the chariot festival.