After the beautiful Chandan Yatra festival, the devotees start preparing for a very important day—Snana Yatra, the Lord’s bathing ceremony. Around 21 days after Chandan Yatra is one of the most heartfelt festivals here.
On this day, devotees from all around come with great enthusiasm. They bring items like milk, yogurt, sugar candy, green coconut water, honey, turmeric water, flower garlands, and more. Everyone offers whatever they can, and it becomes a big, joyful service.
The Abhisheka, or bathing of the Lord, goes on for hours—sometimes from the morning until late evening. In the later part of the day, there are usually some cultural presentations and kirtans offered for the pleasure of Their Lordships, followed by prasadam distribution for everyone. The whole atmosphere feels like a big family gathering, with everyone coming together just to serve and please Lord Jagannatha.
But something interesting happens after this long bath.
The next day, the Lord falls sick.
Because He has received so many loving offerings and stayed in the open air for so long, it is said that He catches a cold. The Lord then rests and doesn’t give darshan for several days. This time is known as Anavasara—a period when He is cared for by His devotees and given herbal treatments and simple foods to help Him recover.
There’s a sweet pastime behind this.
The origins of the Snana Yatra are deeply rooted in the Skanda Purana, which narrates the story of King Indradyumna, who installed the wooden deities and initiated this sacred bathing festival. This festival commemorates the appearance of Lord Jagannath – the Lord of the Universe. It is said that when King Indradyumna arranged the bathing ceremony for the deities, he set a precedent for the celebration of Snana Yatra, making it an integral part of the Jagannath worship tradition.
The festival serves multiple purposes, including spiritual cleansing, where devotees believe that witnessing the deities during Snana Yatra absolves them of all sins, making the sight of the Lord being bathed highly auspicious and purifying.
During Anavasara, devotees feel the pain of separation. The temple feels quiet, and everyone waits eagerly to see the Lord again. It is in this waiting that our love for Him grows even deeper.
This simple festival reminds us how personal our relationship with Krishna is. He accepts our little offerings, our songs, our service—and sometimes, He even lets us take care of Him.
What a merciful Lord.
For Seva to Lord Jagannatha: https://www.mayapur.com/festivals/Snana-Yatra
Source: https://www.mayapur.com/en/blog/sri-jagannath-snana-yatra-june-11th
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