Puri: Following the grand ceremonial bath on the Snana Bedi (bathing altar) on occasion of Debasnana Purnima, the deities of Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s pilgrim town of Puri appeared in a special attire on Monday evening.
While Lord Jagannath and his elder brother Lord Balabhadra were adorned with the Hati Besha or Gajanan Besha, their sister Devi Subhadra appeared in Padma Besha (Lotus flower attire). The servitors decorated the Lords with massive elephant masks and colourful costumes to resemble Lord Ganesha soon after Gajapati Maharaja Dibyasingha Deb carried out the traditional Chhera Panhara (ceremonial sweeping) of the Snana Bedi.
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This unique elephantine form of the Lords, resembling Lord Ganesha, holds deep significance. According to legend, it commemorates the 15th-century event when Lord Jagannath granted darshan in the form of Ganesh to his devotee Ganapati Bhatt. The attire for the deities is traditionally provided by Raghab Das and Gopal Tirtha Mutts.
The grand spectacle of the Lords in Hati Besha is considered highly auspicious, drawing massive crowds every year. Devotees waited eagerly for a glimpse of the deities in this divine avatar, which symbolises the unity of all divine forms.
As per tradition, the deities are believed to catch a fever following the elaborate bathing ritual. They are then moved to the Anasara Gruha (recovery or isolation chamber) for medication and rest, lasting about 14-15 days. During this period, devotees are not allowed darshan. The deities are expected to reappear before the public on Nabajaubana Darshan (new youth appearance), after which they will embark on their nine-day sojourn to the Gundicha Temple during the grand Rath Jatra.
The Snana Jatra marks an important prelude to the chariot festival, continuing the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Odisha that attracts millions of pilgrims annually.