Odisha: ‘Adhar Pana’ Ritual Performed On Chariots Ahead Of Lord Jagannath’s Niladri Bije
“Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra is regarded as a festival for all creation—not only for human beings, but also for animals, birds and even disembodied souls": Reports
PURI: The sacred Adhar Pana ritual, one of the concluding ceremonies of the annual Rath Yatra, was performed on Sunday on the three majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra in Puri, a day ahead of the deities' ceremonial return to the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple.
The sibling deities have remained seated on their respective chariots on the Grand Road since Thursday, when the Bahuda Yatra (return car festival) concluded with the chariots reaching the Lion's Gate of the shrine.
As part of the centuries-old ritual, servitors offered Adhar Pana—a sweet beverage prepared from milk, sugar, cheese, banana, aromatic spices and other ingredients—in large earthen pots specially made for the occasion. The pots, placed before the deities on their respective chariots, were ritually offered and later smashed, allowing the sacred drink to spill over the chariots.
According to Jagannath tradition, the ritual is meant for the countless invisible beings, spirits and celestial attendants believed to have accompanied the Lords throughout their annual journey outside the temple. The breaking of the earthen pots symbolises offering the sacred drink to these unseen entities, who are then believed to depart peacefully after receiving the Lord's blessings.
“Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra is regarded as a festival for all creation—not only for human beings, but also for animals, birds and even disembodied souls. Adhar Pana signifies the Lord's compassion and inclusiveness by extending divine grace to every living and non-living entity,” said Babita Patnaik, a researcher of Jagannath cult.
The elaborate ritual commenced in the evening amid devotional chants, the blowing of conch shells and the beating of traditional instruments, drawing thousands of devotees to the Grand Road. The ceremony continued late into the evening.
With large crowds gathering to witness the ritual, Odisha Police and the district administration enforced elaborate security and crowd-management measures around the Lion's Gate and the Grand Road to ensure the smooth conduct of the ceremony.
The annual Rath Yatra will culminate on Monday with Niladri Bije, one of the most significant and emotionally resonant rituals in the Jagannath tradition. During this ceremony, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are ceremonially escorted from their chariots back into the sanctum sanctorum of the Shree Jagannath Temple after their nine-day sojourn to the Gundicha Temple.
