Adhara Pana ritual held atop chariots in Puri

BHUBANESWAR: A day after the sibling deities of Puri Jagannath Temple dazzled in their golden attire on the occasion of Suna Besha, they were offered Adhara Pana, a sweet drink, as they remain on their chariots.
As per tradition, total nine barrel-shaped terracotta urns containing the beverage were broken on top of the chariots in a bid to offer the drink to the divine embodiments (parswa devtas or Rath rakshyaks) and liberate other invisible powers or spirits.
The refreshment is meant only for the Rath rakshyaks who accompanied the sibling deities to Gundicha temple during Rath Yatra and guarded the deities on the chariots. “Later, the drink is spilled over the chariots by breaking the pots so that the invisible spirits too get the divine drink,” said Shyamsundar Mohapatra, a servitor.
The sweet drink, made of milk, cheese, sugar and spices is kept in the urns which almost touch the lips of the deities. Suar Mahasuara servitors prepare the drinks on each chariot. “At the time of offering of Adhara Pana, Bhitarachha, Taluchha and Palia Puspalaka hold a new cloth in front of the deities. Pani Apata servitors collectively bring hundred of pots of water from a well (near Singhadwar) and pour it on to a big brass container which is kept on the chariots,” said researcher Bhaskar Mishra.
It is the last overnight stay of the deities on the chariots in front of Jagannath Temple. The deities will be taken inside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum on the occasion of Niladri Bije on Friday evening. Niladri Bije is the last leg of Rath Yatra.