Snana Purnima Celebrated at Jagannath Temple in Bath, England
On the auspicious occasion of Snana Purnima, the Shri Jagannath Temple in the city of Bath, England, witnessed a vibrant celebration. From early morning, the temple premises echoed with chants of “Jai Jagannath” as devotees gathered in large numbers.
The rituals began with offerings of aarti and flowers to the four deities in the temple, followed by adorning them in new clothes. Then, the deities were ceremonially bathed with fragrant water contained in 108 clay pots. After the sacred bathing ritual, the idols were beautifully decorated in the “Gajanan Besha” (elephant attire). Devotees offered prayers and partook in the sacred food offerings (bhog) of Mahaprabhu Jagannath.
The entire temple was gorgeously decorated for the occasion. The temple trust ensured proper arrangements for smooth darshan (viewing) of the deities by the devotees. In the evening, a cultural program was organized, featuring devotional songs (bhajans) of Lord Jagannath, dance, and music, which captivated the attending devotees.
More than 200 devotees participated in the event. The presence of foreign devotees added joy and diversity to the celebration. Local Indian residents enthusiastically joined the festivities, making it a grand cultural gathering.
The program was coordinated by temple trustee and sevak Sushmita Rajhans, who shared that the main purpose of such events is to promote the religion and culture of Lord Jagannath. She also invited all devotees and Jagannath lovers in England to participate in the upcoming sacred Rath Yatra.
At the Bath Jagannath Temple, all thirteen traditional festivals are observed throughout the year, and daily free food services (annadan seva) are provided to all devotees.
Report from Bath, City of England.
