Puri: The Gods and Goddesses, who had stayed on chariots during the Ratha Jatra to guard Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and their sister Devi Subhadra, will be offered a refreshing drink named ‘Adhara Pana’ in Puri on Wednesday.
The Gods and Goddesses, called ‘Rath Rakhyak’, is offered the Pana by the sevayats on the 11th day (Ekadasi) of the Ratha Jatra.
The Pana is made of milk, sugar, cheese, banana, camphor, nuts, black pepper etc.
As per the ritual, a nine large, one-meter high open mouth barrel-shaped pitchers full of the drinks were placed before the three deities on the chariots which touched the lips of the deities. It will then be spilled all over the chariots. It is believed that several evil spirits, ghosts and dissatisfied souls trail the deities during the Car Festival.
Kalinga AI