Snāna-yātrā takes place a fortnight before Ratha-yātrā and coincides with the full moon day (purnima) of the Hindu month of Jyestha.

The festival marks the ceremonial bathing of the deities Lord Jagannātha, Lord Balabhadra, and Devī Subhadrā. The ritual begins with the deities being taken out from the sanctum sanctorum in a grand procession to the Snāna Mandapa, a specially decorated bathing altar.

After the bathing ceremony (snāna-yātrā), Lord Jagannātha becomes sick. He is therefore removed to His private apartment, where no one can see Him. The word anavasara is used when Śrī Jagannāthajī cannot be seen in the temple. There are many who visit the temple to see Lord Jagannātha regularly and for them His retirement after the bathing ceremony is unbearable.

During this period of anavasara, renovations are made on the body of Jagannātha Deity – the body of Lord Jagannātha Deity is repainted. This is known as nava-yauvana.

During the Ratha-yātrā ceremony, Lord Jagannātha once again comes before the public. Thus for fifteen days after the bathing ceremony, Lord Jagannātha is not visible to any visitors.