Snana Yatra
Disappearance Day of Sri Mukunda Datta · Disappearance Day of Sri Sridhara Pandita
Festival
All day
What is Snana Yatra?
Snana Yatra is the festival bath of Lord Jagannatha, Lord Baladeva and Srimati Subhadra, held on the full moon (Purnima) of Jyestha. Vaishnavas celebrate it on Friday, 18 June 2027. The disappearance days of Sri Mukunda Datta and Sri Sridhara Pandita fall on the same date.
Significance
According to the Skanda Purana, King Indradyumna installed the wooden Deities at Puri and arranged this bathing ceremony, and devotees honour the day as the Lord's appearance day. In Puri the water is drawn from Suna Kua, the golden well, and the Lord is bathed with many pots of scented water while Vedic mantras, kirtana and conches resound. The bath comes when the heat before the monsoon is at its peak, and it cools the Lord's body. The Lord Himself says how He receives such an offering:
If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it.
Bhagavad-gita 9.26
How to observe it
Devotees can read the Skanda Purana account of King Indradyumna, hear the glories of Lord Jagannatha and chant Hare Krishna through the day. At home or at the altar, offer water, flowers or fruit with love, as the verse invites. After the bath the Deities are traditionally dressed in the elephant dress called Hati Vesha. Then They retire for the Anavasara period before Ratha Yatra.
Read more: Jagannath Snana Yatra
Questions
When is Snana Yatra in 2027?
Snana Yatra falls on Friday, 18 June 2027 in the Vaishnava calendar for Kurukshetra. It is held on the full moon of the month of Jyestha.
What is Snana Yatra?
Snana Yatra is the ceremonial bathing of Lord Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra before Ratha Yatra. In Puri the Deities are bathed with water from the golden well, and devotees honour the day as the Lord's appearance day.
Who started the Snana Yatra festival?
King Indradyumna began it, according to the Skanda Purana. He arranged the bathing ceremony when he installed the wooden Deities at Puri.
What is Hati Vesha after Snana Yatra?
Hati Vesha is the elephant dress the Deities wear after Their bath. They then retire to the Anavasara rest rooms for about two weeks before giving darshan again.
Reviewed by ISKCON Kurukshetra · Updated
Key facts
- Date
- Friday, 18 June 2027
- Deities bathed
- Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra
- Described in
- Skanda Purana, as told by the Puri tradition
Seva for this day
Feed devotees and visitors on this holy day, or begin the Bhagavad-gita course with us.