The sacred Adhara Pana ritual of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra will be observed today on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) in Puri, this is marking one of the world famous biggest ceremonies of the Rath Yatra festival.
As the Suna Besha ceremony concludes and the Niladri Bije ritual approaches, the stage is set for the Adhara Pana tradition. This captivating ritual is held on the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, positioned near the Lions’ Gate of the Shree mandir. With preparations in full swing, Adhara Pana is poised to take place, offering a sacred drink to the deities on their respective chariots.
With preparations underway for the Adhara Pana, let’s take a closer look at this tradition, exploring its significance and importance in the context of the festivities.
The Adhara Pana tradition is put in motion as the Suna Besha rite comes to an end and the Niladri Bije ritual draws near. This fascinating ceremony takes place on the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, which are parked close to the Shree mandira Lions’ Gate. Adhara Pana, which offers a sacred drink to the deities on their various chariots, is about to take place, and preparations are well underway.
The Adhara Pana rite is customarily carried out at Puri, Odisha’s yearly Ratha Yatra festival on the auspicious day of Ashadha Sukla Dwadashi. “Adhara Pana” is derived from two Odia words: “Adhara,” which means “lip,” and “Pana,” which means “sweet drink.” This ceremony is performed with a great deal of devotion and has profound religious and spiritual importance.
The deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, are offered on their respective chariots on this day, along with enormous cylindrical earthen pots filled with a unique sweet drink made of milk, banana, sugar, spices, and other herbal components. The deities can symbolically taste the offering without really drinking it since the pots are so tall that the drink reaches the idols’ lips.
The drink is not distributed among devotees; instead, it is later broken and spilled on the ground at the base of the chariots. This act is believed to satisfy and honor the invisible beings, spirits, and minor deities who travel with the main deities during the Ratha Yatra. The Adhara Pana ritual, thus, reflects a gesture of compassion and completeness in the divine journey, ensuring all beings are spiritually nourished.
A Teste of Devotion In Puri
Historically, the Adhara Pana ritual was performed over three consecutive days during the Car Festival—on Dashami, Ekadashi, and Dwadashi. Each day, nine large earthen pots were filled with a sweet, herbal drink, with three pots offered to each of the three deities—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra—on their respective chariots. However, in recent times, the ritual is observed only once, on the day after the Suna Besha, the golden attire ritual.
The Adhara Pana is offered to the deities after the conclusion of their nine-day journey during the Ratha Yatra. Alongside the main deities, Sudarshan is also included in the offering. The drink is a cooling, energizing concoction prepared using nine traditional ingredients . The ritual symbolizes spiritual nourishment and is believed to appease invisible beings accompanying the deities.
On their chariots, the gods are presented with a particular mixture of milk, cream, cheese, sugar, banana, camphor, water, black pepper, and nutmeg. The goddesses’ lips are nearly touched by the earthen jars into which this delicious, savory milk beverage is skillfully poured. Each chariot’s refreshments are painstakingly crafted by the Mahasuaraa servants, who are entrusted with the honor of preparing this sacred sacrifice, giving the ceremony a sense of respect and dedication.
About Ritual
Bhitarachha, Taluchha, and Palia Pushpalatha servants hold a fresh cloth horizontally in front of the gods during the Adhara Pana offering. As part of the Adhara Pana rite, the deities are offered the sweet and aromatic beverage after the Sodasa Upachara Puja. In order to represent a holy sacrifice, the earthen jars with the fragrant mixture are arranged with precision to touch the lips of the gods. This magical beverage isn’t meant for human consumption, though.
The servants purposefully break the earthen pots so that the holy liquid spills over the chariots after the Adhara Pana drink is served to the gods. This magical beverage is only for the supporting deities who defend and lead Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra on their travels. This festival is not only a festival it is emotion ,love with lord Jagannath and sibling with people.