COOCH BEHAR, June 29 -- The annual Snan Yatra of Madan Mohan Dev was observed with traditional devotion and royal rituals at the historic Madan Mohan Temple in Cooch Behar on Monday, marking the formal announcement of the annual Rath Yatra. Hundreds of devotees gathered at the temple to witness the sacred bathing ceremony.
Following centuries-old royal tradition, Madan Mohan Dev was ceremonially bathed at 9 a.m. with holy water from 108 sacred pots. Temple priest Shiv Kumar Chakraborty performed the rituals using milk, curd, ghee, coconut water and other sacred offerings amid the chanting of Vedic hymns. Special prayers were offered after the ceremonial bath.
Madan Mohan Dev is revered as the family deity of the erstwhile Cooch Behar royal family. In keeping with tradition, the Rath Yatra is formally announced on the day of the Snan Yatra, coinciding with the Snan Yatra of Lord Jagannath. During the Rath Yatra, the deity will be taken in a grand chariot procession from the Madan Mohan Temple to the Gunjbari Dangrai Temple, popularly known as the deity's "Aunt's House," where it will remain for seven days before returning. A traditional fair, attracting thousands of devotees and visitors, will also be held at the temple premises.
Temple priest Shiv Kumar Chakraborty said: "Following royal tradition, the Snan Yatra of Madan Mohan Dev has been completed, marking the auspicious beginning of the Rath Yatra festivities. Special religious rituals were performed as part of the ceremonial bathing."
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.