Adhara Pana Ritual Underway In Puri

Bhubaneswar: A day after Suna Besha, the sibling deities were offered special drinks on their respective chariots during Adhara Pana Niti (ritual) on Tuesday.

The traditional drink is offered to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, exhausted after the nine-day journey, as a refreshment. This drink is made of a mixture of milk cream, cheese, sugar, banana, camphor, nuts, blackpepper and other ingredients.

Each deity is offered three pots each. These are then smashed on the chariots itself to allow Parswa Devatas (minor deities) and various invisible divine forces to savour the drink.

The Odia Mutt, Raghavdas Mutt and members of the temple provide the drink in long cylindrical earthen pots, which measures up to the lips of each deity.

As per the schedule, the rituals of Adhara Pana will be completed by 8 pm today.

The day began with Mangal Alati on three chariots. The rituals like Mailam-Tadap Lagi, Abakasha, Besha Sesha, Gopal Ballav, Sakala Dhupa, Maliam, Maha Snana and Sarbanga, Besha Sesha and Madhya Dhupa were also performed.

Following Adhara Pana ritual, Maha Snana, Mailam and Besha, Sandhya Alati, Sandhya Dhupa, Maliam and Chandan Lagi, Bada Singhar Besha, Bada Singhar Bhoga and Garuda Sayana will be held.

The last ritual, Ratha Pahuda, will be conducted at 2 am, following which the deities will be carried to the sanctum sanctorum on Wednesday.