Guwahati, June 29 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday extended warm greetings to devotees across the country on the occasion of the sacred Snana Yatra of Lord Jagannath, praying for peace, happiness, good health and prosperity for all.

Taking to social media, the Chief Minister paid his obeisance to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, describing the annual ritual as a deeply revered occasion in the Hindu calendar. “On the sacred occasion of the Snana Yatra, millions of humble obeisances at the lotus feet of Lord Sri Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra,” CM Sarma said in his post.

He further prayed that the blessings of the deities bring joy and well-being to every household.

“May the boundless grace of the Supreme Lord infuse every life with happiness, peace, excellent health, and prosperity. Jai Jagannath,” the Chief Minister wrote.

Snana Yatra, also known as Deba Snana Purnima, is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha and marks one of the most significant rituals associated with Lord Jagannath.

During the ceremony, the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are ceremonially bathed with 108 pots of sacred water drawn from a specially designated well inside the temple premises.

The ritual is primarily associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, where thousands of devotees gather every year to witness the ceremonial bathing of the deities.

According to tradition, after the elaborate bathing ritual, the deities are believed to fall ill and are kept away from public view during a fortnight-long period known as ‘Anasara’. During this time, temple priests perform special rituals before the deities reappear for devotees during the annual Rath Yatra.

Snana Yatra is celebrated with religious fervour across several parts of the country, including Assam, where Jagannath temples organise special prayers, devotional programmes and community feasts to mark the occasion.

–IANS

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