Finance
Following the Suna Besha ceremony and before the Niladree Bije ritual, a fascinating tradition known as Adhara Pana takes place. This ritual takes place on the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, which are stationed near the Srimandir’s Lions Gate. During Adhara Pana, a sacred drink is served to the deities on their different chariots, marking an important time in the festivities.
As the Adhara Pana ritual is slated to take place today and preparations are underway, lets digs into the specifics of this ancient custom, giving light on its profound significance and importance in religious ceremonies.
Significance
According to reports, on the auspicious day of Aashadha Sukla Dwadashi (the 12th day of the bright moon phase), a religious rite known as Adhara Pana is performed.
Adhara Pana is a combination of the Odia words ‘Adhara’ and ‘Pana’. Adhara signifies lip, while ‘Pana’ means’sweet drink’. This refreshing offering is delivered to the deities on their chariots in enormous cylindrical earthen pots that stretch up to their mouths.
According to tradition, this ceremony was conducted three days in a row during the Car Festival, on the 10th (Dashami), 11th (Ekadashi), and 12th (Dwadashi). Every day, nine earthen pots were filled with the sweet drink, and three pots were presented to each deity in their chariots. Presently, the Adhara Pana ritual is observed only once, on the day following the completion of the Suna Besha ritual.
Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra along with Sudarshan are offered the sweet drink on chariots following the exhaustion of their nine-day sojourn. The sweet drink is made up f nine ingredients such as milk, cream, cheese, sugar, banana, camphor, water, black pepper and nutmeg.
Special Offering
A specific concoction of milk, cream, cheese, sugar, banana, camphor, water, black pepper, and nutmeg is served to the deities on their chariots. This delicious, tasty milk drink is delicately poured into earthen pots that are placed close to the goddesses’ lips. The Mahasuara servants, who have the honor of making this sacred tribute, precisely construct the refreshments on each chariot, imbuing the rite with reverence and dedication.
During the Adhara Pana Bhittarachha, Taluchha, and Palia Puspalaka offerings, servitors hold a new cloth in front of the deities (horizontally).
Following the Sodasha Upachara Puja, the deities are served a fragrant and sweet drink as part of the Adhara Pana ceremony. The earthen pots with the scented concoction are carefully positioned to reach the goddesses’ lips, representing a sacred offering.
Once the Adhara Pana drink has been served to the deities, the servants purposefully shatter the earthen pots, letting the sacred liquid to spill over the chariots. This magical drink is not designed for human consumption, but is exclusively reserved for the subsidiary deities who accompany Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra on their journey, protecting and guiding them along the way.
Malevolent spirits, according to mythology, are also waiting for this day, hoping to partake in the sacred drink and achieve salvation. The crushing of the pots assures that the drink is only available to divine entities, while also representing the elimination of demonic energies.
