Lord Jagannath bathed with 108 Kalash water in the heat of Jeth, know this unique tradition

New Delhi: A traditional ‘Snan Yatra’ is being organized in the world famous Jagannath temple of Odisha today i.e. Monday, 29 June 2026. This royal bath, taking place on this auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Purnima, is considered to be the formal beginning of the grand Rath Yatra to be held on 16th July 2026. According to religious beliefs, to provide relief from the scorching heat, on this day Mahaprabhu Jagannath, brother Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are bathed with cool water brought from a special golden well located in the north. Lakhs of devotees from across the country and the world have reached Puri to witness this traditional Mahasnan festival.

108 Great bath with golden urns and herbs

In this special ritual of Snan Yatra, all three Gods and Goddesses are bathed with the sacred water of a total of 108 golden urns. It is an interesting thing that this well is opened only once a year for this day. Sandalwood, camphor, saffron, perfume and medicinal herbs are mixed in the water drawn from the well.

Gorgeous makeup after a great bath

After the completion of the Mahasnan, special adornment of the Lord is done, which is called ‘Gajvesh’ or Ganesh Vesh. According to the legend, to fulfill the wish of an ardent devotee of Lord Ganesha, Lord Jagannath appeared to him in the form of Gajanana. In the same memory, even today the Lord is decorated in the divine form with the face of an elephant.

God will go into solitary confinement for 15 days

Immediately after this royal bath, a unique and humane tradition begins. All three gods fall ill due to excessive bathing in cold water. From today till Ashadh Amavasya, i.e. for the next 15 days, the Lord goes into seclusion away from the main temple. Which is called ‘Anavasar period’. During this period, public darshan of the main idols remains completely closed. To maintain the faith of the devotees, during this period, special traditional paintings of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are installed and worshiped as alternative idols in the temple.

Offering of decoction and Rath Yatra on 16th July

During these 15 days of seclusion, the chief priest of the temple offers decoctions and medicines prepared from various types of herbs to the Lord. This unique tradition shows that God, like his human form, falls ill and takes rest. Exactly 15 days later, the Lord will completely recover and will appear to the devotees again in a ‘young form’. After this, on 16th July 2026, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra ji will leave for their aunt’s house ‘Gundicha Temple’ riding on three huge divine chariots. By merely pulling the ropes one attains salvation.