Mahaprabhu Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, will receive the “Phuluri” oil treatment, also referred to as “Phuluri Tela Seva,” on this auspicious occasion of Anasara Panchami. The ancient custom of treating deities with “Phuluri oil,” a unique herbal oil, is one of the ceremonies associated with the deities’ “Anasara” stay at Srimandir in Puri.
It is believed that this has been a part of the over a millennium-old secret ritual. Let’s examine the customs in greater detail and understand the significance of Anasara Panchami on this special day:
Holy Trinity’s “Phuluri Tela Seva”
According to popular belief, the purpose of the special ritual is to heal Lord Jagannath and his siblings of fever that was brought on by taking too many baths during the “Snana Yatra.” On the day of Snana Purnima, the Holy Trinity becomes ill after bathing in 108 pitchers of fragrant and herbal water.
Thus, the unique herbal oil treatment will aid the Trinity in getting ready for the well-known yearly pilgrimage known as “Rath Yatra.” During the Holy Trinity’s hibernation, the Phuluri Tela will be applied to promote a quick recovery.
How is the oil from Phuluri made?
Every year, the Bada Odia Matha prepares “Phuluri” oil according to custom by combining oil with a variety of fragrant flowers, including Ketaki, Malli, Boula, and Champa, as well as roots, camphor, rice, grains, and herbs.
The twenty-four ingredients that go into making Phuluri tela include pure sesame oil, Bena roots, fragrant flowers like Jasmine, Jui, and Malli, and powdered sandalwood. After that, the oil is kept underground for nearly a year until Deva Snana Purnima, when it is ready to be used.
The deities, who are presently spending 15 days in the temple in a “Anasara” state, will recuperate from their illnesses following the Phuluri oil treatment on the eve of “Naba Jaubana Darshan,” which falls one day before Rath Yatra.
