Purpose: Jagannath Snan Yatra is annual bathing festival held on Purnima of Jyestha month also the birthday of Jagannath Bhagwan.
Detail:
On the full moon of Jyeshtha month also known as Snan Purnima, divine bath of Lord Jagannath, Lord Baladevji and Devi Subhadra is held every year here at Jagannath Temple Puri, Odisha. The idols of lord along with Sudarsana are bring to Snan Mandapa for this special ritual.
As per the spiritual text, first time this ritual arranged by the king Indradyumna who had built up the temple and installed idols of Lord Jagannath – Shri Krishna, Lord Balramji and Goddess Subhadra, sister of Krishna. From that time same rituals followed here with chanting of Vedic Mantras, Bhajan Kirtan and blowing of conch.
Priests give bath by 108 pitchers full of water which bring from well located in Shitla Mata temple near Jagannath Temple. After Snan, idols are dressed up as Lord Ganesha. Interesting legend associated with this, in 15th century, Pandit Ganapati Bhatt, devotee of Lord Ganesh had visited Puri. He had attended Snan Yatra and had Darshan of Lord Jagannath but he was not satisfied as he wanted to see Lord Ganesh in Lord Jagannath. He was on his way back but Lord Jagannath in form of priest told him to visit temple again at Snan Mandapa. Once Pandit Ganapati reached to Snan Mandapa he blessed with Darshan of Lord Ganesh in Lord Jagannath. Since that time after Snan, idols are decorated in shape of elephant – Lord Ganesha.
After Snan Yatra, deities are kept away for Darshan for 15 days as it is believed that after bath, due to fever, only fruits and medicine are offered to lord.
After 16th day, devotee are allowed to have Darshan and then followed by world’s biggest chariot festival of Rath Yatra held here in Jagannath Puri
