Snana Purnima and Anasara: The Bath and the Fortnight of Rest

What the temple administration states

The temple administration's FAQ explains that darshan is not possible throughout the year: during the full moon of Jyeshtha the Snana Yatra takes place, and afterwards "darshan is not possible for 15 days".

Source: SJTA: FAQs. Checked 2 October 2026.

Snana Purnima Temple tradition

Snana Purnima is regarded in tradition as the appearance day of Lord Jagannath. The deities are brought out in procession to the bathing platform (Snana Mandapa) and bathed with 108 pots of water drawn from a well within the temple complex. Afterwards they are dressed in the Hati Besha, an elephant-like form associated with Lord Ganesha.

Anasara Temple tradition

In temple tradition, the deities fall ill after the bath and rest in seclusion while they recover, and their painted forms are renewed. During this time they are cared for by the Daitapati servitors and given herbal remedies. The daily rituals in the sanctum are suspended, which is why darshan is not possible.

Modern interpretation Some scholars have seen in Anasara and the role of the Daitapatis an echo of older, non-Brahmanical forms of worship in the Jagannath cult. This is an interpretation, not an established fact.

Alarnath Temple during Anasara Devotional belief

Many devotees visit the Alarnath Temple at Brahmagiri, about 25 km from Puri, during Anasara, believing that Jagannath gives darshan there in the form of Alarnath while he is unseen in Puri.

After Anasara

The deities reappear shortly before the Rath Yatra, which takes place on the second day of the bright fortnight of Ashadha.

Source: SJTA: FAQs. Checked 2 October 2026.