 |
| Lord Alarnath Temple, Brahmagiri localdrive.in |
One of the most fascinating traditions associated with the Jagannath Temple at Puri takes place immediately after the annual Snana Purnima (Snana Yatra). During this grand ceremonial bathing festival, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and the Sudarshana Chakra are ritually bathed with 108 pitchers (Suvarna Kalasas or Suna Garas) of sanctified water drawn from the temple's sacred well. According to temple tradition, this elaborate ritual causes the deities to develop a symbolic fever. Since the images are carved from sacred neem wood (Daru Brahma), the heavy bathing also affects their painted surface, making restoration necessary.
 |
| Alarnath Temple,Odisha chalbanjare.com |
Consequently, the deities are withdrawn from public view and remain in the Anasara Ghara (Anavasara House) for a period of about fifteen days. During this time they are believed to be treated by the Raja Vaidya (Royal Physician) with traditional Ayurvedic herbal preparations, especially medicines prepared from Dashamula, a classical combination of ten medicinal roots. This period symbolizes rest, healing, and rejuvenation before the Lord reappears before devotees.
The responsibility for caring for, repainting, and restoring the wooden deities during the Anasara period belongs exclusively to the Daitapati, hereditary servitors believed to be descendants of Viswavasu, the tribal Savara chief who worshipped Lord Nilamadhava before the establishment of the Jagannath cult. These servitors perform the secret rituals that prepare the deities for their reappearance.
On the sixteenth day, known as Netrotsava ("Festival of the Eyes"), the final ritual of painting the pupils of the deities, called Chakshu Daan or Chakshurunmilana (opening of the eyes), is performed. According to the Shilpa Shastras and Agamas, an image becomes fully fit for worship only after the eyes have been ceremonially opened. On the same day, devotees receive the eagerly awaited Nava Jaubana (Nava Yauvana) Darshan, when the deities appear rejuvenated in fresh attire and vibrant new colours before the commencement of the annual Rath Yatra.
 |
| Lord Jagannath (Vishnu) at Alarnath temple hindutemples-india.blogspot.com |
Above image: At Puri Jagannath temple tradition has it the darshan of the Trinity is closed for a fortnight until Rath Yatra. The three deities are supposed to be recovering from sickness after Snana Purnima and are taking rest inside the Anasagar (sick room). During this period inside the Anasagar (sick room). During this period, Lord Jagannath manifests himself in the form of Alarnath Deb. Devotees in large number visit the Alarnath temple at Brahmagiri, 23 km away from Puri,not only to have darshan of the lord but also to taste the prasad Kheer, a unique delicacy offered to the deity. It is said during peak days more than 10000 liters of Buffalo milk is used for making Kheer Prasad each day...............
Since the Jagannath Temple remains closed to devotees during Anasara, thousands of pilgrims travel about 23 kilometres from Puri to Brahmagiri to worship Lord Alarnath, who is revered as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu and regarded as the temporary form of Lord Jagannath during this period. Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Alarnath during Anasara bestows the same spiritual merit as having darshan of Lord Jagannath in Puri.
According to the Sthala Purana, the great Vaishnava saint Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu visited Jagannath Temple daily during his stay in Puri. One year, after Snana Purnima, he found the temple closed because Lord Jagannath was observing Anasara. Deeply distressed at being unable to see his beloved Lord, he asked the temple priests where Jagannath had gone. When informed that the Lord was resting after suffering from fever, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was overwhelmed with separation. Tradition relates that Lord Jagannath appeared to him in a divine vision and instructed him to proceed to Brahmagiri, where He was manifest as Lord Alarnath. Chaitanya immediately visited Alarnath Temple and experienced profound spiritual ecstasy. Since then, the temple has become an important centre of pilgrimage during the Anasara period.
A cherished legend associated with this visit states that when Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu offered full prostrations before Lord Alarnath, the stone beneath him softened and retained the impression of his body owing to the intensity of his divine love. This sacred stone, bearing what devotees believe to be the imprint of the saint's body, is preserved within the temple and continues to attract pilgrims.
During Anasara, the Alarnath Temple witnesses an enormous influx of devotees from Odisha and across India. The temple offers the famous Kheer (Payasa) Bhoga, a rich preparation of milk, rice, sugar, and cardamom, which is considered especially sacred during these fifteen days. Devotees believe that worshipping Lord Alarnath with sincere faith during this period grants spiritual merit, removes obstacles, and absolves one of accumulated sins.
The presiding deity of Lord Alarnath is a magnificent four-armed form of Lord Vishnu carved from black chlorite stone. He holds the Sudarshana Chakra in the upper right hand, a lotus in the lower right hand, the Shankha (conch) in the upper left hand, and the Gada (mace) in the lower left hand. At His feet kneels Garuda, the divine eagle mount of Vishnu, with folded hands. The sanctum also houses images of Rukmini and Satyabhama, while an image of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu commemorates his association with the temple.
Behind the temple lies the sacred Chandan Pushkarini, where the annual Chandan Yatra is celebrated for twenty-one days with great devotion. The temple itself is an excellent example of medieval Kalinga architecture, dating largely to the 12th century during the Eastern Ganga period, although local tradition traces the shrine to much earlier times. Today, the Alarnath Temple remains one of Odisha's most revered Vaishnava pilgrimage centres, drawing lakhs of devotees every year during the Anasara period and preserving a unique tradition that beautifully complements the worship of Lord Jagannath at Puri.
https://chalbanjare.com/odisha/tourist-attraction/alarnath-temple
https://odishatour.in/alarnath-temple-puri
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alarnatha_Mandir
https://puriwaves.nirmalya.in/destinations/shri-alarnath-at-brahmagiri
K. N. Jayaraman (Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com )
