Puri: The much anticipated Snana Jatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra started in the holy city here early today.
Reports said the whole Bada Danda (Grand Road) is abounding with enthusiasts sitting tight for the darshan of the Lords at the Snana Mandap (washing sacred place).
The rituals of the Lords began in the wee hours at 3.30 AM with Mangalarpana performed by the Daitapati servitors. The pahandi (procession) of the Lords began at 4 PM after Doralagi ritual.
The Lords were then taken and placed on the Snana Mandap at about 6 AM.
“The bathing ritual would be held between 9.30 AM and 12 PM during which the servitors would pour 108 pots of scented water on the deities. This would be followed by the visit of the Shankaracharya of Gobardhan Peeth Swami Nischalananda Saraswati to the Snana Mandap for the darshan of the deities. As per the schedule, Puri Gajapati Divyasingh Deb would perform ‘chhera panhara’ ritual between 12.30 PM and 1 PM.