Puri- A sea of devotees turned up in Odisha’s Puri today to witness the magnificent “Hati Besha” of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra on the occasion of “Snana Jatra”, held at the iconic 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple. The ceremonial bathing ritual and the rare appearance of the deities in elephant attire drew thousands from across the country, turning the pilgrim town into a vibrant hub of devotion and celebration.
As part of the age-old tradition, the sibling deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra — were brought to the Snana Bedi (bathing altar) in a grand procession and given a ceremonial bath using 108 pots of sacred water. The Snana Yatra, observed annually on the full moon day of the Jyeshtha month, marks an important prelude to the grand Rath Yatra.
Following the elaborate bathing ritual, Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra were dressed in Hati Besha or Gajanan Besha — a rare form in which the Lords resemble Lord Ganesha, complete with elephant masks and ornaments. Devi Subhadra, however, appeared in Padma Besha, an attire symbolizing the lotus flower.
The Chhera Pahara — a ceremonial sweeping of the bathing altar — was performed by Puri’s titular king, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb, before the deities appeared in their respective attires. This royal tradition, performed with humility and devotion, signifies that even kings are servants in the Lord’s abode.
According to temple customs, the deities are believed to fall ill after the intense bathing ritual. They are then taken to the Anasara Gruha (isolation chamber) within the temple complex, where they remain for 14 days receiving traditional Ayurvedic treatment from temple physicians. During this period, public darshan is suspended.
The divine siblings will reappear for devotees during Navajauban Darshan — their rejuvenated first appearance after recovery. This marks the beginning of their iconic nine-day journey to the Sri Gundicha Temple during Rath Yatra, scheduled this year for June 27.
The sight of the Lords in Hati Besha, considered highly auspicious, is believed to wash away sins and grant blessings to those fortunate enough to witness it. For devotees gathered in Puri today, the experience was not just a religious observance, but a deeply spiritual moment of connection with the divine.
