Puri: Sibling deities of Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri will undergo ‘Phuluri’ oil treatment, popularly known as ‘Phuluri Tela Seva’, on the occasion of ‘Anasara Panchami’ on Monday..
This is part of the secret rituals performed during ‘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 11.
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 protect them from moths and insects.
The herbal oil is prepared with compositions of pure sesame oil, roots of Bena, different fragrant flowers including Jasmine and Jui. The sesame oil mixed with these ingredients is kept in an earthen pot. The pot is sealed with clay and kept beneath the ground for a period of one year. The pot is buried under the ground on Hera Panchami and the mutt hands it over to the temple servitors during Anasara period for treatment of deities.
As per tradition, successors of Biswabasu and Bidyapati are entitled to apply herbal oil before removing pastes made from herbs applied on the ailing deities on the pedestal of Anasara house.
The ritual is held on the fifth day from Anabasara of the Lords at the 12th-century shrine.
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 them 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.