Page 35 - Yearbook 2013update.pub

Sri Balaram Appearance Day Celebrations -
Tuesday, Aug 20th 7pm August 23rd – Jagannath Snana Yatra:
Snana-yatra is an important pastime of Lord Jagannatha. At the
VCC, on this day, Their Lordships Jagannatha, Baladeva, and Sub-
hadra allow Themselves to be bathed by all following the original
tradition of worship at Jagannatha Puri. Our devotees as well as
hundreds of local people enthusiastically assemble at the Jagan-
natha temple to perform abhisheka with water (with some ganga
water mixed), milk, pancamrta, etc. This bathing goes on for a few
hours in the midst of kirtanas glorifying Their Lordships and the
chanting of the maha-mantra. Lord Jagannatha’s prasada was also
offered to all visitors. Lord Jagannatha’s pastimes are such that
after snana-yatra, Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra become
“sick”, and, so, must take “medicines” and “take rest” until they
become “rejuvenated” enough to go for Ratha-yatra. When they are
“sick”, they are offered bhoga containing medicinal herbs without
the usual offerings.