Fever does not only affect us humans but even God has to suffer from it. It happens only once a year but even God falls prey to it. Yes, you must be surprised to know this but even Lord Jagannath Swami who frees the whole world from diseases, himself falls ill every year on the day of Snan Purnima in the month of Jyeshtha. 

Unique Tradition

The Illness of Lord Jagannath

After the Snana Yatra, where Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are bathed with 108 pots of water, they experience fever and fall ill. This marks the beginning of the Anavasara period, during which:

·  The deities rest for 15 days inside the temple, away from public view.

·  They are given Ayurvedic medicines in the form of special decoctions.

· Their diet is kept light and healing, including fruits, herbal juices, and porridge.

· The temple doors remain closed, and devotees visit the Alarnath Temple instead.

For the information of the readers, this ritual at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is known as “Snana Yatra” and “Anavasara”. During the Snana Yatra, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are bathed with 108 pots of sacred water, after which they are believed to fall ill. They rest for 15 days in a secluded chamber, known as the Anavasara period, before reappearing during the famous Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival). He also falls ill like his devotees and he is also treated for the same. Lord Jagannath rests for 15 days from the day of Purnima, with his siblings, and does not give darshan to his devotees. For this reason, the doors of Lord Jagannath remain closed for these 15 days.

Anavasara

“Anavasara”, is this sacred period which follows the “Snana Yatra” of Lord Jagannath. It is believed that after being bathed with 108 pots of sacred water on Jyeshtha Purnima, Lord Jagannath falls ill, just like his devotees.

During these 15 days of rest, the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra stay in a secluded place known as “Anavasara Griha” inside the temple. During this time:

· The deities are given herbal medicines (specially prepared Ayurvedic decoctions).

· They are fed a light diet of fruit juices, herbal drinks, and porridge to help them recover.

· Special rituals and treatments are performed by temple priests.

Since the main temple doors remain closed, devotees visit the nearby Alarnath Temple in Brahmagiri, Odisha, to get darshan of Lord Vishnu, as it is believed that Lord Jagannath manifests there during this period.

 The reason behind Lord Jagannath’s illness lies in the sacred tradition of the Snana Yatra and its deep spiritual symbolism.

Why Does Lord Jagannath Fall Ill?

After being bathed with 108 pots of sacred water during Snana Yatra (on Jyeshtha Purnima), when Lord Jagannath  catches a fever due to excessive exposure to water, and he enters a 15-day Anavasara period, where he remains in isolation, resting and recovering.

Spiritual & Symbolic Meaning

1. Divine Compassion – Lord Jagannath, the Supreme Lord, takes on human experiences, showing that illness and healing are part of life for everyone.

2. Ayurvedic Healing – His treatment with herbal medicines, juices, and porridge highlights the importance of natural healing and proper care.

3. Cycle of Renewal – His temporary seclusion represents restoration and rejuvenation, reminding devotees of the need for physical and spiritual renewal.

4. Connection with Devotees – It reinforces the idea that even God follows the natural cycle of health and recovery, making him more relatable.

After 15 days, Lord Jagannath reappears in a youthful, rejuvenated form during the Nava Yauvana Darshan, followed by the grand Rath Yatra, symbolizing his renewed strength and divine energy.

The Story Behind it:

 Madhav Das ji, a devotee of Lord Shri Jagannath, lived in Jagannath Puri in the state of Orissa. Madhav Das ji lived alone and used to sing bhajans of the Lord. Every day he used to visit Shri Jagannath Prabhu and used to be lost in his own fun. He had no attachment to worldly life nor did he have any dealings with anyone. Lord used to perform many leelas with Madhav ji and also taught him to steal.

One day suddenly Madhav Das ji’s health deteriorated, he got vomiting and diarrhea. He became so weak that he started having problems even in getting up and sitting. Madhav ji used to do his work himself; he did not take help from anyone. He used to tell the person who came to help him that Lord Jagannath himself would protect him. Within a short time, Madhav ji’s health deteriorated so much that he used to pass stool and urine in his clothes. Then Jagannath Swami himself came to serve Madhav Ji as a servant. Lord Jagannath used to clean Madhav Ji’s dirty clothes with his own hands and also clean him and serve him completely. Hardly any person could serve as much as Lord Jagannath did.

When Madhavdas ji recovered and regained consciousness, he immediately recognized that this was his Lord after seeing Lord Jagannath serving him so much. One day Shri Madhavdas ji asked the Lord – “Prabhu! You are the owner of Tribhuvan, you are my Lord, you are serving me. If you wanted, you could have cured my disease too, if you had cured my disease, then I would not have had to do all this.”

Then Jagannath Swami said to him – “Look Madhav! I cannot bear the pain of devotees and that is why I served you myself. Whatever is destiny has to be suffered. If you do not cut it in this birth, then you will have to take the next birth to suffer it and I do not want that my devotee has to take the next birth again due to a little destiny. That is why I served you, but if you are still saying this, then I cannot even avoid the devotee’s words. Now this disease of 15 days is left in your destiny, so give me the disease of 15 days.” Lord Jagannath took that 15-day illness from Madhavdasji. Since then Lord Jagannath remains ill for these 15 days.

This has been going on for years since then. Lord Jagannath is given a bath once a year, and then Lord Jagannath falls ill for 15 days every year even today.

Significance of the Ritual

This divine illness reminds devotees that diseases and hardships spare no one, but with care, rest, and faith, recovery is always possible. It also teaches the importance of Ayurveda, proper nourishment, and seasonal cleansing for good health.

After 15 days, Lord Jagannath reappears in a rejuvenated form during the Nava Yauvana Darshan, marking his regained health and youth, followed by the grand Rath Yatra! When Lord Jagannath becomes healthy, he comes riding on a chariot to meet his devotees. The period is called the world famous Rath Yatra.

This Rath Yatra is held every year on the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the Ashad month.

This tradition beautifully expresses the idea that suffering and recovery are universal, and even God sets an example of patience, healing, and renewal for his devotees.

This beautiful tradition shows that even God shares the joys and struggles of his devotees, making him more relatable and beloved.