Visakhapatnam, June 24, 2013: Deba Snana Poornima or bathing of the lords was observed in Sri Jagannath temple on the premises of Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj, a premier socio-cultural organisation of Odias on Sunday. The day marks beginning of preparation for the famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Debi Subhadra, and considered to be the birth day of Lord Jagannath. The deities were bathed in perfumed water and were adorned with Gajanana attire (The Lord Ganesha Form), according to temple committee. The tradition is that from Monday they will be convalescing as they will catch fever after this bath and the devotees cannot have their Darshan.

On July 8, they will give Darshan to the devotees after being cured and this is called Nabajauban Darshan. On July 10, they will be taken out on colourfully decorated chariots on Rath Yatra day.

The Samaj also on this auspicious day started the construction of the new Lord Siva temple on the platform already built for this. Bhajan Sandhya in the evening was followed by anna prasadam.

Source: The Hindu, DT. June 24, 2013.