Puri: As Lord Jagannath and His Holy Siblings are on two-week isolation at Srimandir in Puri following Snana Jatra on June 22, 'Phuluri Tela' will be offered to ailing deities on the sixth day of Anasara rituals today.

Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshan fell sick and suffered from high fever after having a divine shower with 108 pots of holy water on Snana Jatra. After appearing in Gajanan Besha to lakhs of devotees on the same, they moved to Anasara Ghara for two weeks, which is regarded as the isolation before the annual Ratha Jatra (car festival).

As part of Gupta Niti (secret rituals) of deities written in Hindu scriptures, the servitors will apply Phuluri Tela (sesame oil with fragrant flower extracts and other herbs kept buried underground for one year) provided by Bada Badia Mutt for massage on Shree Anga (divine body) of deities to lower the temperature and increase strength. The process for making Phuluri Tela starts on Hera Panchami during Ratha Jatra every year.

The special ritual is conducted in the afternoon on the 6th day during 14-day Anasara period.

After 'Phuluri Tela' seva, Osua prepared by Suara servitors will be served to deities. The women members of Suara families are engaged in the Osual lagi rituals. Osua is a paste made from jhuna (resin), sesame oil, water and some other herbs. The paste hardens after its application on the body of deities. The old layer of this paste is removed during Anasara period.

After the completion of Osua rituals, the deities recover from illness. A dough is prepared from wheat flour, camphor and sandal by Suara families to offer to deities. The ritual is called Shalisasthika Pinda Swedana. Later, Dasamula is brought from the Vaidya (doctor) and served to Lords following which the deities attain new youth. After recovering from illness, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra moved out of the fortnight-long hibernation and give darshan to their devotees on Netra Utsav. The darshan of the deities on Ratna Bedi after 14 days long illness is called rejuvenation from illness or Nabajoubana Darshan.

However, the Nabajoubana darshan will not be held this year as Netra Utsav and Ratha Jatra are falling on same day. The devotees can see the deities on the day of Ratha Jatra atop chariots on July 7.