‘Adhara Pana’ Ritual In Puri Today: Everything You Needs To Know

Puri: ‘Adhara Pana’ is an interesting ritual that takes place before ‘Niladree Bije’ and after ‘Suna Besha’. This unique ritual is observed on Asadha Shukla Pakhya Dwadashi tithi.

The uniqueness of the ritual is that each deity is offered a sweet drink (pana) from three huge cylindrical earthen pots on their respective chariot.

As per the tradition, while the pots are jointly arranged by Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Raghab Das Mutt and Badaodia Mutt, they are manufactured by the potters of Kumbharpada.

The potters besides maintaining the hygiene of the dish follow strict food restrictions during the whole process when they prepare the pots. Women are not allowed to touch even the raw materials used, let alone the pots.

Each of the pots contains a drink prepared from milk, sugar, banana and some spices.

The aromatic drink is offered to the deities after Sodasha Upachara Puja. The pots are so placed as they should reach the lips of the deities.

The portmanteau of the ritual ‘Adhara Pana’ is ‘Adhara’, which means lip, and ‘Pana’, which means sweet drink.