SJSUK's Anasara 2022: The Sacred Fortnight of Divine Rest
A sacred celebration of the 15-day divine seclusion period of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
Event Details
What Is Anasara? — The Lord's Sacred Rest
Anasara (also called Anavasara or Anabasara) is a sacred 15-day period of divine seclusion observed at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. It begins immediately after Snana Purnima (the grand bathing festival on the full moon of Jyeshtha) and ends with Navajouban Darshan on the new moon of Ashadha.
During Snana Purnima, the deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra — are ceremonially bathed with 108 pots of sacred water drawn from the golden well (Suna Kua) inside the temple. After this intense bathing, the deities are believed to fall ill with a fever and are moved to a secluded chamber called the Anasara Ghara (Anasara House), away from all public view.
Inside the Anasara Rituals
During the 15 days of seclusion, the ailing deities are treated with traditional Ayurvedic remedies by special servitors called Daitapati Sevayats, who perform secret rituals known as Gupta Riti. Key treatments include:
Phuluri Tela
A herbal oil prepared from sesame oil, flowers (ketaki, champa, jasmine, etc.), sandalwood, and medicinal roots, sealed in earthen pots and buried underground for an entire year before use.
Anasara Pana
A sweet milk drink offered as liquid nourishment, since the deities consume only liquid food while unwell.
Dasamula Modaka
Herbal medicinal globules made from ten roots, seasoned with honey, ghee, sugar, and milk cream, offered on Ekadashi (the 11th day) as the final remedy to cure the deities completely.
Anasara Patti — The Sacred Paintings
Since the deities remain hidden, three traditional Patta paintings (Anasara Patti) are installed on a bamboo screen as substitute images for devotees to worship. These paintings depict:
- Shri Ananta Narayan — representing Lord Jagannath
- Shri Ananta Basudev — representing Lord Balabhadra
- Goddess Bhubaneswari — representing Devi Subhadra
Each painting is crafted on cloth canvases by temple Chitrakaras (artists).
Devotees During Anasara
Devotees who cannot have darshan of the main deities during Anasara traditionally visit the Alarnath Temple at Brahmagiri (23 km from Puri), believing that Lord Jagannath manifests as Lord Alarnath during this period. At home, devotees maintain their spiritual connection through bhajans, scripture reading, and personal offerings.
Navajouban Darshan — The Grand Return
At the close of Anasara, the deities regain their youthful vigour in a ritual called Navajouban Darshan (New Youth Viewing), symbolising divine rejuvenation and renewal. This joyous moment seamlessly transitions into the spectacular Ratha Yatra, when the rejuvenated deities are brought out on grand chariots for the annual journey to the Gundicha Temple.
Event Video
SJSUKAnasara 2022
Event Gallery
