Odisha invokes Lord Jagannath’s quarantine instance to popularise COVID-19 restrictions

By PTI
PURI: To persuade folks to remain indoors and observe quarantine norms for holding the transmissibility of COVID-19, the Odisha authorities has tried to invoke the Odia spiritual custom by highlighting how Lord Jagannath quarantines himself in “Anasar Ghar” (isolation room) earlier than the annual Rath Yatra.

Home quarantine stands out as the new regular throughout the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the globe however the apply has been in vogue in Lord Jagannath Temple right here since time immemorial.

“The example of Lord Jagannath’s quarantine is well accepted by the people and keeps them inside the house. The state government has also coined a slogan saying ‘Ghare Rukantu Sustha Ruhantu’ (stay home. Stay healthy),” Odisha governments chief COVID-19 spokesperson Subrato Bagchi stated.

He inspired folks to go for isolation after testing optimistic for COVID-19, saying “Anasar” (quarantine) was an intrinsic a part of the Odia tradition and custom.

Quarantine means proscribing the motion of the stricken in order that the an infection doesn’t unfold to others.

According to mythology, Lord Jagannath, and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra developed a fever after they got a shower with sacred water contained in 108 pitchers on Snan Purnima day.

Thereafter, the three deities of the Twelfth-century shrine have been taken to ‘Anasar Ghar’ the place they underwent therapy and recovered after 14 days.

This apply is noticed for 14 days earlier than the annual Rath Yatra yearly.

“The state authorities emphasises that if one assessments optimistic for COVID-19, the individual should stay in quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.

Even the grasp of the universe (Lord Jagannaths title jagat means universe & nath means grasp) quarantines himself when he falls sick,” Bagchi stated.

Bhaskar Mishra, a researcher in Shree Jagannath tradition, stated the sibling deities additionally take ayurvedic medicines to get better from the sickness.

Therefore, the individuals who endure from any illness needs to be administered drugs for fast restoration as a substitute of leaving it on the mercy of God.

“There isn’t any such document since when the apply of Lords quarantine, referred to as ‘Anasar’ ritual, is being practiced within the temple.

But it has been occurring for ages, giving a message to the human race to take the sickness critically,” Mitra stated.

Incidentally, the Lords ‘Chaka Bije Niti’, a ritual marking an enchancment within the situation of the sibling deities, is being held within the Temple on Sunday on the event of Dasami Tithi.

In this ritual, the deities are positioned on three wheels together with Lord Sudarshan and Madhab, stated Sarat Mohanty, a servitor-cum researcher within the Jagannath tradition and custom.

As per the rituals, the deities are supplied “Chakata” and “Pana Bhoga” (ORS like prasad to beat dehydration).

Mohanty says that throughout the Lords keep in Anasar (quarantine), some rituals are carried out by some chosen servitors within the closed room.

A particular oil referred to as phuluri tel is utilized to the deities and for the entire restoration of the deities, “Raj Baidyas” (royal medical doctors) put together a particular natural drugs.

This drugs will likely be supplied to the Lords on “Ekadasi Tithi” on Monday.

After this ritual, the deities are believed to be fully cured, Mohanty stated.

Pratihari Sevaka, a particular servitor within the temple, Surya Narayan Gochhikar, stated that the ailing deities are supplied solely fruits and water, blended with cheese and “Dasamula” (natural) medicines whereas Daitapati Sevayats carry out secret rituals to remedy them.

He stated that the deities fully get better from sickness after a two-week-long natural therapy following which they’re prepared for the annual Rath Yatra, which falls on July 12 this 12 months.

When the deities stay in “Anasar Ghar”, the devotees are allowed to have darshan of “Patti Dians”,(representatives of the Lords in patachitra portray).

Before going out for the Rath Yatra, the deities are given a touch-up and given a contemporary look simply as an individual does after recovering from an sickness, Mohanty stated.