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Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik on Monday said Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited his residence in Puri on the occasion of Deva Snana Purnima, where the two also discussed promoting the state's art and culture.
Pattnaik said the Chief Minister first visited to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath before coming to his residence, where he congratulated him on becoming the first Indian to win the Russian Grand Sand Master Cup. "Today is Devasnana Purnima, a sacred day for Lord Jagannath. Devotees from across the country and abroad flock to Puri for this occasion... It was a privilege for me that, by the Lord's grace, CM Mohan Charan Majhi visited to seek the Lord's blessings on this holy day. Afterwards, he visited my home," Pattnaik told ANI. He said the Chief Minister had earlier assured him that he would personally visit his residence after his return from Russia. "When I returned from Russia after becoming the first Indian to win the Russian Grand Sand Master Cup, the CM had said he would personally come to my home to congratulate me on this major achievement for the country... He viewed the cup and medal I had won, as well as all the other awards I had received over the years, and offered immense encouragement. He also interacted with my family," Pattnaik said. According to Pattnaik, the Chief Minister also discussed ways to further promote Odisha's art and culture. Deva Snana Purnima marks the ceremonial bathing of the sibling deities with 108 pots of sanctified water. Following the ritual, the deities are believed to fall ill and remain out of public view during the 'Anasara' period before reappearing for the annual Rath Yatra. Thousands of worshippers gathered to witness the sacred bathing ceremony of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, marking a centuries-old tradition. The festival marks the ceremonial bathing of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra in 108 pots of water in a sacred ritual. Devotees from across the country travelled to be part of the event. Snana Yatra is celebrated on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, which usually falls in June. This festival holds immense religious significance, as it is believed to be the birthday of Lord Jagannath. The deities are taken out in a grand procession from the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple to the Snana Mandap, an elevated platform where the bathing ritual takes place. Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, are brought out from the sanctum sanctorum to the Snana Mandap, a special bathing platform. On this day, the deities undergo a ceremonial bath with 108 pitchers of sacred water. (ANI)
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