Snana Purnima, also known as Deva Snana Purnima or Snana Yatra, is the sacred full-moon bathing festival of Lord Jagannath and His siblings celebrated in the Jyeshtha month of the Hindu calendar. In 2025, this grand divine bath took place on Wednesday, June 11, in Puri, Odisha. The ceremony heralds the start of the annual Rath Yatra preparations.

Ritual Highlights

Ceremonial Bath: The three wooden deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra—were taken in a majestic procession to the Snana Mandap. There, priests bathed them with 108 pots of sacred water drawn from the temple’s Golden Well.

Public Darshan: Devotees thronged the Bada Danda to witness the rare spectacle of the deities in full view, marking the only day before Rath Yatra when they are publicly displayed in this manner.

Gaja Vesha (Elephant Attire): After bathing, Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra donned the distinctive elephant-themed Gaja or Gajesha Besha, symbolizing divine rebirth.

Anasara (Divine Rest)

Following the bath, the deities are believed to “fall ill” and enter a 15-day seclusion called Anasara, lasting from June 13 to June 26, 2025. During this time, they remain unseen by the public and receive traditional Ayurvedic care.

Rath Yatra Schedule 2025

End of Anasara & Gundicha Marjana (Temple Cleaning): June 26

Rath Yatra (Chariot Procession): June 27, 2025

Festival Duration: June 27–July 5, 2025

Spiritual & Cultural Significance

Festival of Purification: The ritual bath cleanses cosmic impurities and blesses devotees with spiritual rejuvenation.

Anasara Period: Symbolizes divine rest, reminding us of humility, healing, and preparation.

Rath Yatra Continuation: The Snana Purnima marks the beginning of a sacred journey—from bathing to seclusion to the chariot procession—uniting millions in devotion.

2025 At-a-Glance Timeline

Event	Date
Snana Purnima (Bath)	June 11, 2025
Anasara (Seclusion)	June 13–26, 2025
Gundicha Marjana (Cleaning)	June 26, 2025
Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival)	June 27–July 5, 2025

Snana Purnima 2025

Conclusion

Snana Purnima 2025 was held on June 11, ushering in a spiritually powerful 15-day Anasara leading up to the vibrant Rath Yatra on June 27. This divine festival, with its rich symbolism of purification, rest, and renewal, continues to inspire millions worldwide. If you’d like deeper insights into the Anasara rituals, Rath Yatra preparations, or how devotees participate, feel free to ask!

🙋‍♂️ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Snana Purnima 2025

1. What is Snana Purnima?

Snana Purnima is the ceremonial bathing festival of Lord Jagannath, observed on the full moon day of the Jyeshtha month. It marks the beginning of the Rath Yatra rituals.

2. When will Snana Purnima be celebrated in 2025?

Snana Purnima will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.

3. Why are Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra bathed with 108 pots of water?

The 108 pots signify auspiciousness and purification. It is a symbolic act to cleanse the universe and prepare the deities for the Rath Yatra.

4. What is the Anasara period after Snana Purnima?

After the divine bath, the deities are believed to fall ill and enter a 15-day rest period called Anasara. During this time (June 13–26, 2025), they are not visible to the public.

5. What is the significance of Gajanana Besha during Snana Purnima?

Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra are dressed in an elephant form known as Gajanana Besha, resembling Lord Ganesha. It symbolizes protection and auspicious beginnings.

6. Can devotees visit the temple during Anasara?

Yes, but the main deities remain hidden from public view. Instead, a Patti Dian (representational painting) is displayed for worship.

7. When does Rath Yatra begin in 2025?

Rath Yatra will begin on Friday, June 27, 2025, following the end of Anasara.

SUMMARY

Snana Purnima 2025 – The Grand Bathing Festival of Lord Jagannath

📅 Date & Context

Celebrated on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha—this year falling on 11 June 2025 in Puri, Odisha. It marks the birth anniversary of Lord Jagannath.

Serves as the ceremonial opening of the sacred rites leading up to the renowned Jagannath Rath Yatra, scheduled from 27 June to 5 July 2025.

🛁 Grand Ritual – The Divine Bath

Known as Snana Yatra or Deva Snana Purnima, this ritual involves a solemn bath of the triad deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra—on an elevated platform (Snana Mandap), visible from the Grand Road (Bada Danda).

The deities are bathed with 108 pitchers of sacred water drawn from the temple’s mythical Sunakua or “golden well”.

The water is enriched with medicinal herbs, sandalwood, fragrant flowers, echoing Ayurveda and invoking purification.

👉 Public Procession & Attire

The lord, along with siblings, is brought out in a grand Pahandi procession to the Snana Mandap amid chants and music.

Post-bath, they are adorned in Hati (elephant) Besha, symbolizing Ganesha and highlighting auspicious beginnings.

🛌 Anasara – Divine Convalescence

According to tradition, the deities fall ill after the bath and undergo a 15-day seclusion called Anasara or Anabasara.

During this period, devotees cannot see the idols; instead, temporary paintings known as Anasara Pattis are displayed.

Meanwhile, the deities receive herbal and Ayurvedic treatment from the temple’s royal physician.

↔️ Cultural & Symbolic Roots

Snana Purnima is widely regarded as Lord Jagannath’s birthday and a symbol of spiritual purification and renewal, reflecting Odisha’s deep agrarian and ritual cycles as the monsoon approaches.

Cited in the Skanda Purana, Niladri Mohadaya, and Naisadhiya Charita, its origins date back to King Indradyumna who began the tradition.

🌏 Mass Devotion & Significance

In 2025, lakhs of devotees gathered to witness this rare public ritual, showcasing its cultural and spiritual importance.

It’s believed to wash away sins and bestow divine blessings upon pilgrims.

Next Steps in the Festival

Following the Anasara, divine darshan resumes with Nabajouban Darshan on 26 June, preceding the grand Rath Yatra on 27 June.

In Essence:

Snana Purnima 2025 was a breathtaking display of devotion, ceremony, and symbolism—the grand bathing of Lord Jagannath and his siblings signifying divine purification, communal faith, and the beginning of a sacred journey culminating in the world-renowned Rath Yatra.