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Devasnana Purnima or "Snana Yatra" is exclusively
a festival of Lord Jagannatha and is said to be one of the oldest.
According to "Skanda Purana" when Raja 'Indradyumna' installed
the wooden deities he arranged this bathing ceremony. This day is
considered to be the birthday of Lord Jagannatha. Held in the full-moon
day of the month of 'Jyestha' this festival is also simultaneously held in
all other important shrines of Orissa. However, the
festival being most elaborate and important at
Puri , it attracts
thousands of visitors and pilgrims from all over the country.
A Religious Belief
'Niladri Mohadaya', a religious text written in Orissa records the
rituals of the festival. 'Sriharsa' in his 'Naisadhiya Charita' also
refers to this festival of "Purusottama". This bathing ceremony
has a specialty. As this festival does not find mention in the early
religious texts, it is believed to be a tribal ceremony, which later crept
into the Hindu rites.
Jagannatha in its early form was being worshipped as "Nilamadhaba"
by a 'Savara' chief called "Viswabasu". Till now it is the
'Daitas' and 'Savaras' (tribals) who have the exclusive right to conduct
the festival. The tribals called "Saoras" belonging to the
southern part of Orissa still perform a rite to bath their deities
ceremonially on the last day of the month of Jyestha. For this they
collect water from remote jungles where it remains untouched even by the
shadow of the animals. Most probably when Jagannatha was a Savara God,
this festival of the Savaras who tended Him was accepted by the Hindus.
The Bathing Pandal
On the previous day of Snana Yatra the images of 'Jagannatha',
'Balabhadra' and 'Subhadra' along with the image of 'Sudarshana' are
ceremonially brought out from the sanctum in a procession to the "Snana-Vedi"
(Bathing 'Pandal'). This special pandal in the temple precinct of Puri is
celled "Snana Mandapa". It is at such a height that visitors
standing outside the temple also get a glimpse of the deities.
After 'Mangala Alati', the 'Suaras' and 'Mahasuaras' go in a ceremonial
procession to fetch water from "Suna Kua" (Golden well) in one
hundred and thirty, vessels of copper. All of them cover their mouths with
a piece of cloth. Then all the vessels filled with water are preserved in
the "Bhoga Mandapa". The 'Palla Pandas' (a class of 'Brahms'
priests) then purify the water with 'Haridra', 'Jaba', 'Benachera',
'Chandan', 'Aguru', flowers, perfumes and medicinal herbs.
On the fourteenth day ('Chaturdashi') when the idols are taken out in
procession, the whole process is called "Pahandi" or "Pahandi
Vijaya". Scholars have given different interpretations of the term
('Pahandi'). Some speak out that it has been derived from the term
'Praspanda' meaning movement. Others are inclined to interpret it as a
derivation from Pandya Vijaya.
For the festival the Snana Vedi is well decorated with traditional
paintings of trees and gardens. Flags and 'toranas' (arches) are also put
up. The images are profusely decorated with flowers. All kinds of perfumes
such as 'Dhupa', 'Aguru' etc. are then offered. As the 'Pahandi' of the
deities takes place to the accompaniment of music and beating of various
indigenous drums. Thousands of devotees jostle and crave for a look at the
deities in procession.
Take A Dip
The bathing festival takes place during the morning hours of the Purnima.
The filled vessels are carried from Bhoga Mandap to the Snana Vedi by the
Suaras in a long single-line procession. This ritual is called "Jaladhibasa".
Prior to the bathing ceremony the images are covered with silken clothes
and then smeared with red powder. Then water is poured, the rituals
performed and 'Pavamana' hymns chanted.
Legend
After the bath the deities are so dressed that together they appear like
the image of Ganesha. This is called "Ganeshabesa". It is said
that a staunch devotee of Lord Ganesha and himself a profound scholar
visited Puri during Snana Yatra, he was amply rewarded by the king of
Orissa for his scholarship. The king asked the scholar to accompany him to
see Lord Jagannatha, which he refused under the pretext that he wouldn't
worship any God other than Ganesha. Somehow he was persuaded and brought
before the Snana Vedi. To the utter surprise of all, Lord Jagannatha
appeared as Ganesha. Since, then during Snana Yatra when the sacred bath
is performed, the deities are dressed like Ganesha. Various other legends
are also told and reasons assigned explaining the Ganesha besa.
A Colourful Depiction Of Images
During the sacred bath the colours painted on the images generally fade.
Seeing the wooden deities in discolour devotees may not have the
appropriate devotional attitude and in fact may feel sinful repugnance.
For this reason the images are immediately dressed as Ganesha in which
they remain mostly covered.
After the Snana Yatra, the images are kept away from public view for
fifteen days and during all these days the daily rites of the temple
remain suspended. The images are kept on the 'Ratna Vedi' inside the
temple. This period is called "Anabasara" meaning improper time
for worship. It has been said earlier that the images are discoloured as a
result of the sacred bath. During these fifteen days the 'Daitas'
(descendants of 'Viswavasu', the Savara) repaint the images and make
decorations.
The period of colouring and decorating the images is divided into seven
short periods, each of two days duration, and a short period of one-day
set apart to give finishing touches. Thus the period covers the whole
fortnight.
On the sixteenth day the images in their new forms after renovation
become ready for the public view. The festival of the first appearance of
the Lord Jagannatha to his devotees is called "Netrotsaba" or "Nava
Yaubana" (new youth). According to popular belief the devotee washes
away all his sins if he gets a vision of the Lord on this day. On this
occasion, therefore, great rush of people occurs in the temple.
The 'Shilpa Sastras' and Agamas testify that the images become suitable
for worship only after the performance of the rite of 'Chakshyu Unmilana'
(Opening of the eyes). During 'Anabasara', the Daitas offer to the deities
only fruits and water mixed with cheese. According to them during this
time the deities don't keep well and therefore, take rest. Like human
beings they are considered to have fallen ill and are treated by the 'Raj
Vaidya' or the king's physician with specific medicines.
The temple-festivals, which are held in a bigger and elaborate scale in
the important shrines of Puri and Bhubaneswar, are also held
simultaneously in all other small shrines of the respective deities,
though in modest scales. Likewise the Snana Yatra is held in many other
temples of Orissa.