Hundreds of devotees began thronging the Alarnath Temple near Brahmagiri in Puri district from Wednesday as the deities of the Jagannath Temple are away from public view after the grand bathing ritual on the occasion of Debasnan Purnima on Tuesday.
The deities went on a fortnight-long hibernation known as ‘Anasar’ or ‘Anavasar’ after they fell sick following the bath with 108 pitchers of holy water. During this period, devotees seek blessings of the deities at the Alarnath Temple, a 13th-century shrine.
The temple administration has made elaborate arrangements for smooth darshan. The devotees made a beeline to the temple since early morning.
The pilgrims not only gather to get a view of the presiding deity Alarnath but for a taste of the famous Khiri (rice porridge) at the temple.
Known for its unique idol of a four-armed standing Vishnu made of black chlorite, the Alarnath Temple becomes the place to visit during the Anasar of the sibling trio of Jagannath Temple.
The Alarnath Temple is believed to have become the devotional destination during this period ever since saint Chaitanya visited it after he missed the view of Lord Jagannath in Puri during Anasar.
Legend has it that the temple is named after the Alwar royal dynasty of Rajasthan. It is believed that the shrine was established by one of the Alwar rulers. Hence, it has been named as Alwarnath, which later became Alarnath. The Khiri prepared here also has an interesting story behind it.
As per popular belief, the temple priest had once forgotten to offer Khiri to the deity even though he had prepared it. When he realised it and returned to offer it, he found the khiri drops on the face of the idol. It is said that the deity had himself tasted the offering.
Notably, Patta paintings known as ‘Anasar Patti’ of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are worshipped in the Jagannath Temple during the Anasar period.
