Puri Rath Yatra 2026: What Is Adhara Pana? The Sacred Sweet Drink Offered To Lord Jagannath During The Grand Festival
· Free Press Journal
The Puri Rath Yatra is one of India's most revered Hindu festivals, drawing millions of devotees to Odisha every year. Among the many unique traditions observed during the annual chariot festival is Adhara Pana, a sacred ritual in which a special sweet drink is offered to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra while they are seated on their majestic chariots before returning to the Jagannath Temple.
The name Adhara Pana comes from two Sanskrit words—"adhara" meaning lips and "pana" meaning drink. As part of the ceremony, large cylindrical earthen pots filled with the sweet beverage are placed before the deities in a symbolic offering that is believed to touch their lips.
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WATCH: First Glimpse Of Lord Jagannath After 'Anasara' Period; Devotees Celebrate Netra Utsav Ahead Of Rath Yatra 2026The 'adhara pana' ritual of the rath yatra !
— 卐 Adivasiyat ॐ (@TheAdivasiyat) July 16, 2026
these sacred pots containing the sweet & spicy drink are broken infront of the lord as a bhog which symbolically feeds the ghosts, pretas, rakshas or even the trapped souls.
It is believed that this drink liberates these beings ! pic.twitter.com/Z3ZL0Ky6IN
Preparation of the drink:
The drink is prepared using a rich blend of milk, fresh chhena (cottage cheese), sugar or jaggery, ripe bananas, camphor and aromatic spices. Each chariot receives massive earthen pots that can hold nearly 100 litres of the sacred preparation, highlighting the grandeur of the ritual.
Ritual significance of Adhara Pana
Adhara Pana is performed on Trayodashi Tithi, a day before the deities re-enter the sanctum of the Jagannath Temple after completing their stay at the Gundicha Temple. According to tradition, the drink is not only offered to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra but is also believed to satisfy countless invisible guardian deities, attendants and celestial beings who accompany the divine siblings throughout the Rath Yatra.
WATCH: First Darshan Of Lord Jagannath After Snana Purnima Yatra; Massive Number Of Devotees Gather Outside Sacred TempleThe Adhara pana of Jagganath
— Ashwin Sampatkumaran (@Ashwinsampathk) July 18, 2024
The Adhara Pana ritual involves serving of the sweet, aromatic & divine drink made with milk, banana, cheese, camphor, nuts amongst others to the Trinity
these are never consumed by humans , but are for other souls/ devi devathas pic.twitter.com/EUQAubmu0o
Interestingly, after the offering is completed, the earthen pots are deliberately broken on the chariots. Devotees believe the sacred drink is then consumed by these unseen spiritual beings, symbolising their nourishment, satisfaction and blessings before the deities conclude their annual journey.
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026
Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026 commenced on July 16 in Puri, Odisha, lakhs of devotees from across India and around the world gathered to witness one of Hinduism's most revered festivals.