Debsnana Purnima (Snana Jatra, Gajanana Besa, Anabasara Arambha)
29 June 2026 · The sacred bathing festival of Lord Jagannatha. The deities are bathed with 108 pitchers of consecrated water, after which they are adorned in the special Gajanana (elephant) form and retire into Anabasara for 15 days.
About This Event
Festival overview
Debsnana Purnima (also called Snana Jatra or Snana Purnima) is the grand bathing festival of Lord Jagannatha, observed on the full moon of Jyestha. The three deities — Jagannatha, Balabhadra, and Subhadra — are brought to the Snana Mandapa (bathing platform) and ceremonially bathed with 108 pitchers of specially consecrated water drawn from the sacred Suna Kua (golden well).
After the bathing, the deities are believed to fall ill (a symbolic human-like quality) and are dressed in the unique Gajanana Besa — an elephant-headed form reminiscent of Ganesha — before retiring into Anabasara (sacred seclusion) for 14–15 days. During Anabasara, the deities are not visible to the public and receive Ayurvedic treatment. Only the paintings (Patta Chitra) on the closed doors are worshipped.
Date
29 June 2026
Location
Shree Jagannatha Temple Sydney, Castle Hill
Event timings
Detailed timings will be announced soon.
Schedule