The Anavasara Festival is celebrated in the
Jagannath Temple at
Puri. It is observed after Snanayatra. Legend has it that
Lord Jagannath become sick and suffers from fever after Snanayatra. The lord is then moved for private stay, where he is offered with drugs prepared from fruit juice. The Dayita (servants of Lord Jagannath) sleep and stay with the deity and take care of him.
The word Anavasara is used when Lord Jagannath is not found in the temple. This festival is celebrated in the month of Ashada.
After fifteen days, one day prior to Rath yatra, Lord Jagannath gives darshana to the devotees.
