Puri Heritage Walk explores Tahia tradition, Anasara rituals ahead of Rath Yatra

Puri: Ahead of the annual Rath Yatra, the 23rd edition of the Puri Heritage Walks (PHW) offered participants an insight into some of the lesser-known traditions and rituals associated with Lord Jagannath, with a special focus on the centuries-old Tahia Seva of Raghab Das Math and the sacred Anasara rituals observed at the Shree Jagannath Temple.

The heritage walk began at Raghab Das Math, located near the southern gate of the Srimandir, where participants learned about the monastery’s long-standing responsibility of preparing the elaborate “Tahia”, the floral headgear worn by Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra during the Pahandi processions and Hati Besha.

Chief artisan Satyanarayan Behera demonstrated the traditional technique of crafting the Tahias using bamboo frames, fragrant flowers, sola pith, silver zari, thread and natural Kaitha gum, without the use of synthetic colours or adhesives. He explained that a team of 20 to 25 artisans prepares 24 Tahias and Topors every year for six major rituals, including Snana Purnima, Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra and Niladri Bije. The dimensions of each Tahia, he said, are carefully designed to suit the temple gates through which the deities pass during the processions.

The participants later visited the Shree Jagannath Temple, where they witnessed the Patti Dian Darshan—the sacred painted representations worshipped during the Anasara period, when the sibling deities remain in seclusion after Snana Purnima.

Heritage enthusiast Arpana Gaurab Das explained the significance of the Anasara rituals, during which Sri Narayan is worshipped in place of Lord Jagannath, Sri Ananta Vasudeva represents Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Bhuvaneswari represents Devi Subhadra. The participants also learned about the representative idols of Madanmohan, Nrusingha, Dolagovinda, Sridevi, Bhudevi and Rama-Krushna, which play an important role during the ritual period.

The walk also covered key locations within the temple complex, including the Bhoga Mandapa, Koili Baikuntha and Snana Bedi, while participants discussed the temple’s architecture, rituals and the significance of the Patitapabana Bana atop the Neelachakra.

The PHW team felicitated master artisan Satyanarayan Behera for his contribution to preserving the traditional Tahia craft. The programme was coordinated by Dr. Kumar Arojyoti, convener, and Ashokamanjari Nayak, co-convener.

Heritage researcher Debi Prasanna Nanda and heritage enthusiasts from Puri, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Khordha, Rourkela and other parts of Odisha participated in the event, which celebrated Odisha’s living heritage and Jagannath culture ahead of Rath Yatra 2026.