New Delhi: The sacred town of Puri, Odisha, comes alive every year with unmatched vibrant devotion and spiritual fervour. The divine feeling can be felt with every breath, and the air is filled with the chants of “Jai Jagannath”. Millions of devotees from across the world gather in Puri to witness one of the grandest religious processions in the world — the Jagannath Rath Yatra.

The Yatra this year will begin on June 27, 2025, and will end on July 5, 2025. Before the Yatra begins, several rituals are held, one of which is the Snan Purnima festival. The festival marks the formal start of the Jagannath Rath Yatra festivities.

The Snan Purnima festival is being observed today, June 11, 2025, in Puri, Odisha. Lakhs of devotees, including Odisha Chief Minister Charan Majhi, took part in this festival to witness Lord Jagannath’s ceremonial bathing rituals. Read on to learn more about the Snan Purnima festival and what happens on this day.

Snan mandap and the three deities – Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra

On this occasion, the three deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra — were taken to the bathing altar, called the ‘Snana Mandap,’ in a special procession. This was reported by officials from the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). The deities are bathed at the ‘Snana Mandap,’ which is an elevated area facing the Grand Road. Devotees have the chance to see the bathing rituals there.

About Snan Purnima Festival

The festival, called Deva Snana Purnima, happens on the full moon day in the month of Jyestha. This event is the first time each year that the wooden idols are taken out of the main temple and placed on the ‘Snana Mandap’ for bathing rituals. It is also celebrated as the birthday of Lord Jagannath.

108 pitchers of ‘sacred water’

On Wednesday at around 12:20 pm, 108 pitchers of ‘sacred water’ from the ‘Sunakua’ (golden well) on the temple grounds will be poured over the idols. Public viewing, called ‘Sahan Mela,’ will start at 7:30 pm, according to the temple schedule.

The deities will then be taken to the 12th-century shrine and placed in ‘Anasara Ghar’ (isolation room) for 14 days because they become unwell after the bath. The temple physician will treat them with herbal medicine. Public viewing of the deities will remain closed until ‘Nabajouban darshan’ on June 26, the day before the annual Rath Yatra on June 27.

In PICS: Snan Purnima 2025

Odisha Chuff Ministers Mohan Charan Majhi and Devotees Attending ‘SNAN Purnima’ Rituals of Lord Jagannth, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra at the Jagannath Temple (Photo Credit: Pt)

Servitors Perform Sna Purnima Rituals of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the SNan Bedi at the Jagannath Temple (Photo Credit: PT)

Ceremonial bathing of Ceremonial Bathing – Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan – On The Snana Mandap In Puri (Photo Credit: PTI)

Odisha Chef Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Attends the Ceremonial Bathing of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshan (Photo Credit: PTI)