Snan Yatra

Not too long ago we celebrated the public bathing ceremony of Sri Jagannath Baladeva and mother Subhadra at our center. Sri Jagannath, Baladev and Subhadra on their arrival were first seated in the library, were they were offered cooling yogurt rice and laddus.It was a very intimate moment of service to the Lord as we fanned them with  the Chamara and Peacock feather fans. The library was hot and humid, that it recreated the atmosphere of being in Puri. Jagannath Baladev and Subhadra changed into an off white, south Indian style dhoti attire, and were adorned with jasmine and tulasi garlands. Amidst the blowing of conches They were brought to the snan vedi and were readied for their public bath..Devotees came forward to bathe the Lords to the singing of Jagnnathastakam in the background. Conches of aromatic water and nectar were showered on Them and they were whisked away to don the masks of elephants and a lotus and provide Darshan in their Gajanan Attire. The Lordships looked resplendent in the Hati Vesha, made so meticulously by Kalpavriksha Prabhu..In the meantime the Chappan Bhoga feast was laid out for the Lords. Rasagollas, simply wonderfuls, gaja, khaja, fruit platters and savories waited to be tasted by the Lord, while Preeti mataji made the medicinal drink of ginger, camphor, pepper, and other spices to be offered to the Lord..Our little Jagannath wanted to be there for this Chappan Bhog feast as well and so He donned the Hati vesha too and partook the feast laid out so lovingly by all the devotees. After the heavy feast,we returned home with a carful of sick Lords to be treated and nurtured back to health. Some devotees remarked seeing our car "Just imagine the plight of a cop if ever this car was stopped." A transcendental Mardi gras I thought. As I  took off Their elephant masks, I was reminded of years ago when I had made similar such masks for my nieces on their birthday. The Lord surely likes to play like a little child I thought. A week later as I performed Aroti to the Kunjavihariasatakam sung by mother Jagattarini and heard the translation of the verses I got yet another perspective of Kunjabihari Krishna being referred to as an elephant by Srila Rupa Goswami..

sthasakikrta sugandhi patirah
svarnakandi parisobha katira
radhikonata payodharavari
kunjaro jayati kunjavihari
All Glories to Sri Jagannatha Snan yatra, all glories to Sri Kunjabihari Krishna..

Snan Yatra