Celebration of Mahesh Jagannath Snana Yatra:Thousands witness 630-year-old festival as deities bathed with Ganga water and milk before Rath Yatra

The 630-year-old Snana Yatra of Lord Jagannath was celebrated with traditional rituals and religious fervour at the historic Mahesh Jagannath Temple in Hooghly on Sunday, drawing thousands of devotees from across the state. Ancient festival attracts thousands of devotees As per centuries-old customs, the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra were ceremonially bathed with 28 pitchers of Ganga water and one-and-a-half maunds of milk. The deities were first worshipped inside the temple before being taken to the designated Snana Mandap, where the sacred bathing ceremony was performed in the presence of devotees. Deities bathed with sacred ritual offerings Following the ritual, the deities were placed outside the main sanctum in keeping with tradition. According to temple customs, Lord Jagannath is believed to fall ill after the ceremonial bath. During this period, the deities remain in seclusion while traditional Ayurvedic treatment is symbolically administered by temple priests, and the temple remains closed to devotees. Temple closes during divine healing period After 14 days of seclusion, the temple will reopen for the Nabajouban Utsav (Festival of Renewal), marking the symbolic recovery of the deities. Two days later, on July 16, the famous Mahesh Rath Yatra will be held. Devotees expressed joy and devotion after witnessing the sacred Snana Yatra, one of the most significant annual rituals associated with the historic Mahesh Jagannath Temple.