Snana Yatra Celebrations at Rajapur

D evasnana Purnima or Snana Yatra is a festival of Lord Jagannath and is said to be one of the oldest. According to Skanda Purana when Raja Indradyumna installed the deities he arranged this bathing ceremony. This day is considered to be the birth-day of Lord Jagannath. Held in the full-moon day of the month of Jyestha this festival is also simultaneously held in all other important temples of Jagannath. However, the festival being most elaborate and important at Puri, it attracts thousands of visitors and piligrims from all over the country.

At Rajapur, Sri Sri Jagannath Baladeva and Subhadra Devi Snana Yatra mahotsava was celebrated in a grand manner. Devotees carried Ganga water in pots in harinam with deity of Ganga devi leading the procession and walked to Rajapur temple.  In the evening, on the day before, there was Adhivas kirtan.

The Lord of the Universe along with His elder brother Balaram and sister Subhadra were dressed in fine silk and ornaments and were led to the Snana Vedi, which was profusely decorated with fragrant, beautiful flowers.  After offering arati , the Snana started with pilgrims queuing to bathe the Lord. It was a never ending long line of devotees patiently waiting for their turn holding pots in their heads & devotion in their hearts, with gratitude to be able to perform this personal service of offering abhisheka to the Lord. Devotees also brought milk, honey, rose water, coconut water, fruit juices etc to bathe the Lord.

He was also simultaneously bathed in Harinam sankirtan.  All the pilgrims were served Jagannath Mahaprasada. After about 4 to 5 hours of Snana, Lordships offered darshan in Gaja Vesha- with elephant masks. Bhoga offering including a huge birthday cake to Sri Jagannath and various dishes loving prepared by devotees were offered and Maha arthi took place. Lord will be in “anavasara’ or in solitary and resume giving  darshan on Gundica Marajana, a day before Ratha yatra.

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Snana Yatra Mahotsav ki Jai! Jagannath Swami ki Jai!