Puri: Marking the beginning of the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, the Snana Purnima rituals began at Puri Srimandir today amid tight security.
Earlier in the morning, the idol of ‘Sudarshan’ was carried from the sanctum sanctorum in a procession or Dhadi Pahandi to the Snana Bedi or bathing altar, located on the temple premises.
Thereafter, Lord Balabhadra was brought in a ritualistic Pahandi to the bathing altar, followed by Devi Subhadra.
During the Snana Yatra, the deities will be bathed in 108 pitchers of aromatic water at the bathing altar.
After the bathing ritual, the deities will be attired with ‘Gajanana Vesha’ (elephant dress). It is believed that Lord Jagannath takes the elephant attire to please his devotees who worship Lord Ganesh.
Meanwhile, the district administration has made elaborate security arrangements headed by IG Central range Soumendra Priyadarshi for the smooth conduct of the holy bath rituals of the three deities.
Around 42 platoons of police force, three commandants, nine ASPs and 16 DSPs, one section of Special Tactical Unit (STU) and 224 officers will be in charge of the security at the Srimandir.
To ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic, the city has been divided into four parking zones near Jagannath Ballav, district school, SCS College.
from Odisha – OTV http://bit.ly/2IN857F
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