Snana Yatra 2024: Date, Time, Rituals, And All You Need To Know

Approximately 18 days before Ratha Yatra Lord Jagannatha, his brother Balabhadra and his sister Devi Subhadra are given a famous ceremonial bath which is known as Snana Yatra.

Jagannath Puri Snana Yatra ( Image Source :X/@varshaparmar06 )

Snana Yatra 2024: Every year, on the second day of the bright lunar fortnight of Ashadha, the coastal town of Puri bustles with joy and enthusiasm as it celebrates the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra. This auspicious occasion features the ceremonial procession of Lord Jagannath along with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra as people long to catch a glimpse of the deity. At the same time, the Gods and Goddes tour the city to check on their subjects. 

This festival is organised each year at the famous Jagannatha temple in Puri, Odisha. Ratha Yatra day is decided based on the Hindu Lunar calendar and it is fixed on Dwitiya Tithi during Shukla Paksha of Ashada month.

It should be noted that the rituals of Ratha Yatra start much ahead of Ratha Yatra day. Approximately 18 days before Ratha Yatra Lord Jagannatha, his brother Balabhadra and his sister Devi Subhadra are given a famous ceremonial bath which is known as Snana Yatra. Snana Yatra day is observed on Purnima Tithi in Jyeshtha month which is popularly known as Jyestha Purnima.

After the Snana Jatra, they are kept in isolation until the procession day. This is because they become slightly discoloured after the bath and are considered ill for that time.

Snana Yatra 2024: Date

• Snana Yatra 2024 falls on June 22 this year.
• Sunrise Time: 5:46 AM
• Sunset Time: 7:11 PM
• Purnima Tithi Timings: June 21, 7:32 AM- June 22, 6:37 AM

Snana Yatra 2024: Rituals

On Snana Purnima, the 3 deities are brought out of the sanctum sanctorum to the Snana Mandap in a grand procession called ‘Pahandi'. After the ‘Mangal Arati', they are adorned with ‘Senapatta', a special body armour made from ‘Baula' wood, by the Daitapatis.

Following this, the temple servants- Suaras and Mahasuaras go to fetch water from the Suna Kua in the temple premises using copper and gold vessels. They cover their mouths with cloth to prevent any contamination. After this, the water is purified using turmeric, whole rice, benachera, sandalwood, aguru, flower perfumes, and medicinal herbs by the Palla Pandas. Before the bathing ceremony, the deities are covered in silken cloth and smeared with red vermillion powder. 

The idols are bathed with 108 pitchers of this water in a ritual known as ‘Jalabhisheka'. As per the tradition, 35 pots of water are used for bathing Lord Jagannath, 33 pots of water for Balabhadra, 22 for Devi Subhadra and 18 pots of water for Lord Sudarshan.

The idols are then dressed in Hathi Vesha (elephant attire) after the bath. While Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are dressed like elephants, Devi Subhadra wears a lotus flower dress. 

Following this, Puri King Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb or his representative performs the ‘Chhera Pahanra', a ceremonial sweep, after which devotees are allowed a public darshan of the deities. 

The King or his representative sweeps the chariot with a gold handle broom and decorates its floor with flowers to welcome the deities. He also sweeps the ground before the chariots and sprinkles sandalwood water. 

Snana Yatra 2024: Celebrations

On the occasion of Deva Snana Purnima, thousands of devotees visited Puri to witness the 'snana yatra' of Lord Jagannath and his siblings.

#WATCH | Odisha: On the occasion of Deva Snana Purnima, thousands of devotees visited Puri to witness the 'snana yatra' of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. pic.twitter.com/XZJJHmIuJb

— ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2024