Adhar Pana is a ritual of Puri Jagannath celebrated at the Puri Jagannath temple during the Rath Yatra festival.
The Adhar Pana ritual is conducted on the Trayodashi tithi of the month of Ashadha, in which 100 liters of pana (sweet drink) is served to the deities in specially made earthen pots.
How is the Adhar Pana ritual conducted?
❀ Usually, Adhar Pana is offered after Madhyahna Dhoop (lunch-meal) on
Ashadha month Trayodashi tithi, followed by Sodasha Upchara puja (16 types of puja). During the Adhar Pana ritual, earthen pots are placed on each chariot standing near the lion gate of the 12th century temple. These reach the lips of the Bhagwan.
❀ 100 liters of milk cream, cheese, sugar, banana, camphor, nutmeg, black pepper and other such spices are mixed in the vessel. Then they are broken to free the spirits like ghosts, vampires, humans and demons living in the chariots.
❀ The refreshments are only for the deities who reside on the chariots to protect Bhagwan Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Bhagwan Balabhadra during the Rath Yatra, which is why they are known as 'Rath Rakshaks'. Devotees are prohibited from having this Pana.
❀ Huge earthen pots are prepared by the potters of Kumbharpada. Earlier, 12 earthen pots were used for this purpose. However, the servants now serve pana in only nine utensils.
Who prepares the Adhar Pana ritual?
As per tradition, the Shree Jagannath Temple administration and the authorities of Raghab Das Math and Badaudiya Math arrange for earthen pots from local potters, who use three bags of soil and one bag of sand to make them. It takes him at least a month to shape three special earthen pots for the ritual.
The ritual of
Neeladri Bije is conducted the next day after Adhar Pana.