What is Snana Yatra ?
The Snana Yatra, also known as the Dev Snana Purnima, is one of the greatest and most holy festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the full moon day of Jyeshtha month, which usually falls in June or July and marks the sacred bathing of Lord Jagannath, his brothers Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, along with the divine Sudarshana Chakra. This year it will be celebrate on 11th June 2025. This event is celebrated in Puri, Odisha and is an important event for Vaishnavas, the followers of Lord Vishnu.
The Snana Yatra tradition can be traced back to the 12th century and is associated with great legends. It is believed that this day is the appearance of Lord Jagannath himself. There is a tradition that one of the devotees, Ganapati Bhatta, expected that Lord Jagannath will look like Lord Ganesha. He was disappointed with the appearance of the deity and was planning to leave Puri. But when he realized the devotion of the devotee, Lord Jagannath himself assumed an elephant-faced form to fulfill the wish of the devotee. This miraculous event reinforced the Snana Yatra tradition and the festival is now celebrated with zeal by devotees.
Rituals and Ceremonies
- Sacred Bathing: The idols of the deities are brought out of the sanctum and placed on the Snana Mandap, a specially decorated bathing platform. Here, they are ceremonially bathed with 108 pots of consecrated water drawn from the golden well (Suna Kua) within the temple premises.
- Special Decorations: After the bath, the deities are dressed in elephant attire (Hati Besha), symbolizing their divine and majestic form. This is a rare and captivating sight for devotees.
- Public Darshan: Thousands of devotees gather to witness this grand spectacle, as it is one of the rare occasions when non-Hindus and those outside the temple premises can catch a glimpse of the deities.
Significance of Snana Yatra
The bathing ritual signifies the purification and rejuvenation of the deities, aligning with the changing seasons. Following the Snana Yatra, the deities enter a period of seclusion called Anasara, during which they are believed to recuperate from the effects of the grand bath. This phase heightens the anticipation for their reappearance during Ratha Yatra.
Visiting During Snana Yatra
Snana Yatra is an extraordinary opportunity for pilgrims to immerse themselves in the devotion and grandeur of Lord Jagannatha’s worship. The festive atmosphere, combined with the deep spiritual significance, makes it a must-experience event for devotees and visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Snana Purnima 2025
Snana Yatra, also known as the Bathing Festival or Dev Snana Purnima, is a grand festival celebrated at the Jagannatha Temple in Puri. It takes place annually on the full moon day of Jyeshtha (May/June) and marks the ceremonial bathing of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and the Sudarshana Chakra.
Snana Yatra in 2025 will be observed on June 11, 2025.
This festival marks the first public appearance of Lord Jagannatha and his siblings before the grand Ratha Yatra. The bathing ritual symbolizes purification and rejuvenation, aligning with seasonal transitions. After the Snana Yatra, the deities undergo a period of seclusion called Anasara, where they are believed to recover before reappearing for Ratha Yatra.
The key rituals include:
- Sacred Bathing: The deities are bathed with 108 pots of consecrated water drawn from the temple’s golden well (Suna Kua).
- Special Decorations (Hati Besha): After the bath, the deities are dressed in an elephant form to honor a famous legend.
- Public Darshan: This is one of the rare occasions when non-Hindus can catch a glimpse of the deities.
A devotee named Ganapati Bhatta wished to see Lord Jagannath in an elephant-faced form, resembling Lord Ganesha. Pleased with his devotion, Lord Jagannath assumed this form, which led to the tradition of Hati Besha during Snana Yatra.
The festival is primarily celebrated at the Jagannatha Temple in Puri, Odisha, but similar rituals are observed in other Jagannath temples worldwide.
Yes, Snana Yatra is one of the few occasions where non-Hindus and visitors outside the temple premises can see the deities, as the rituals are conducted in an open space known as Snana Mandap.
After the bathing ceremony, the deities enter Anasara, a 15-day period of seclusion, where they are believed to recover. Devotees eagerly await their grand reappearance during Ratha Yatra.
Snana Yatra holds immense significance for Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Vishnu) as it symbolizes the divine cycle of worship, purification, and rejuvenation of Lord Jagannath before his grand chariot journey during Ratha Yatra.
To witness Snana Yatra, plan your visit to Puri during the full moon day of Jyeshtha. The vibrant celebrations, devotional chants, and majestic rituals make it a deeply spiritual and unforgettable experience.
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