Snana Yatra events fill cities across the world with spiritual bliss
By Kuravathy Krishnapriya Devi Dasi, ISKCON News Staff Writer | June 25, 2024
Gajabesha Darshan at ISKCON Auckland during Snana Yatra.
On June 22, 2024, devotees across the world celebrated Snana Yatra festival with great love and devotion.
This festival, held on the full moon day of the month of Jestha, marks the bathing of Jagannatha, Baladeva, Subhadra and Sudarshana Chakra. After the holy bath, the deities wear Ganapati or Hasti Vesha (elephant attire). Due to fever, the deities withdraw from public view for two weeks and reappear in public on the day before the first day of the Rath Yatra.
Speaking at the New Rajapur Jagannath Dhama in Bangalore, Jayapataka Swami spoke about the importance of Snana Yatra: “After Snana Yatra, Lord Jagannatha returns to the temple altar. The Daita Patis offer sweets and other food items to Lord Jagannatha during this Anavasara, a period of rest after Snana Yatra. They also offer sweets every day early in the morning. It is said that during Anavasara, Lord Jagannatha suffers from fever and the Daita Patis offer him decoctions of medicinal herbs, typically fruit juices.”
He further explained, “Usually the rituals are performed on the Utsava Murti but on this occasion, the rituals are performed on the Mula Vigraha. Then Jagannatha will take the actual big idol of the deity and perform the Snana Yatra, Ratha Yatra. So this is very special.”
ISKCON Attapur, Hyderabad held its first ever Snana Yatra, marking a significant milestone for the community.
