‘Phuluri’ Oil Treatment For ‘Ailing’ Lords Of Puri Jagannath Temple Today; Know Its Significance

Puri: The sibling deities of Shree Jagannath temple in Puri, will be provided ‘Phuluri’ oil treatment, popularly known as ‘Phuluri Tela Seva’, on the occasion of ‘Anasara Panchami’ on Thursday.

This age-old practice of ‘Phuluri oil’ (a special herbal oil) treatment is part of the rituals during the ‘Anasara’ stay of the Lords after supposedly falling ill due the elaborate bath with 108 pitchers of herbal and aromatic water on Snana Purnima on June 22.

Bada Odia Mutt, which is the Adi Pitha of Atibadi Jagannath Das, prepares Puluri Tela (oil), which is applied on the wooden idols on Ashtami to protects them from moths and insects.The oil is made using flowers such as Ketaki, Malli, Boula and Champa, roots, sandalwood powder, camphor, rice and grains. The main ingredient is Sesame oil.

Speaking to media, Bada Odia Mutt Mahanta Bansidhar Das Goswami said that the oil is prepared during previous Hera Panchami and preserved in an earthen pot kept in a pit under the soil. “We have received letter for Niladri Bije but yet to get any communication from the temple administration, regarding supplying Puluri Tela for the ritual which will take place after Madhyana Dupa (midday meal) today. This has been going on for past 2-3 years. This delays the process,” he alleged.

The ritual is held on the fifth day from Anabasara of the Lords, he added.

Other Rituals

After the oil massage, Kaintha Atha (wood apple) is applied to the deities and idols are covered with new clothes. Since the idols are made of wood, Badagrahies check the idols minutely during this period.

Likewise, Khadi (primer) is applied to the deities on the Khadilagi Ekadasi.

During this period, the ailing deities are offered only fruits and water, mixed with cheese and ‘Dasamula’ (herbal) medicines while Daitapati Sevayats perform secret rituals to cure them.

Chaka Bije Niti is held on Dasami when deities are said to regain balance and feel better after sitting properly on the wheels.

Khadilagi and Rakta Bastra lagi rituals are held on Ekadasi.

On Dwadasi, Raja Prasad Bije Niti is held. During this ritual, the Daitapatis take all the items of sibling deities to the Gajapati Maharaja, who is the first servitor of Lord Jagannath, and inform him about they having been cured.

On Treyadashi, Ghanalagi ritual is held. Ghana, which is made of ropes, is tied to the deities during this ritual, which takes over 10 to 12 hours.

It is followed by Banakalagi ritual when the deities are painted in a new colour.

Notably, no chemicals are used in the colours. The main ingredient is Kasturi Nabhi (musk collected from a stag’s navel).

Following Ghanalagi and Banakalagi rituals, the deities are decked up in Nabajoubana Besha on Amabasya.

Essentially it is the annual maintenance of wooden idols with natural preservatives.