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Padma Besha of Lord
Jagannath |
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The Padma Vesha of Lord Jagannatha is done on any
Saturday or Wednesday between the new moon day of
Magha and Basanta Panchami. Prior to the month of
Magha, we have the winter season when the lotus
disappears from the tanks and reservoirs. But from
the month of Magha onwards, these flowers reappear.
The lotus signifies 'health and wealth' at the same
time.
The lotus blossoms when the sun rises in the morning,
and it is held that Laxmi (the Goddess of Wealth),
moves on a fully blossomed lotus. In the fitness of
things, Lord Jagannath is dressed with the "Vesha of
Lotus". The lotus is also the National Flower of
India, which indicates that gifts of Nature like the
lotus must be duly honoured. The Padma Vesha dress
materials made of lotus, 'sola' lace and paper are
supplied by Badachhata Matha. Pudding (Khiri) is
offered to the Deities when they are in this Vesha.
The history behind this Padma Vesha is also quite enchanting.
The younger brother of the last Ganga King was
Mitrabhanu Dev. Mahatma Monohar Das was his revered
priest. He was very famous as a devotee of Lord
Jagannath throughout the State of Orissa. He was
coming to Shrikshetra Puri to see Lord Jagannath
after making meditation in Mahindra Hill for a long
period. On the way, he came across a big pond full
of lotus flowers. |
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Mahatma
Das was quite moved with the lotus ponds and stopped on
the way. He thought religiously that such beautiful
fresh lotus flowers are rightly fit for Lord Jagannath's
adoration.
He plucked
lotus to his hearts content. He went to Lord Jagannath
Temple carrying the flower throughout the day. He handed
over the lotus flower to a servitor (Sevak) with immense
interest. The lotus flower carried by him was meant for
the adoration of the Deities. But to his disappointment
the lotus flowers by that time had been turned black due
to delay on the way for two days. The servitor (sevak)
of Lord Jagannath refused to decorate the Lord Jagannath
with such flowers.
Mahatma Das was quite moved and anxious after hearing
such words. All his hopes were turned into despair
instantly. He waited near the Lion's gate of the temple
after covering the dried flowers with a cloth. Three
days were passed by this time, still then Mahatma Das
did not touch water. He promised in his mind that if
Lord Jagannath did not accept his flowers, he will
sacrifice his life before him for this purpose.
At this critical juncture, the mercy eyes of the
Supreme Lord fell upon the dried flowers, as such the
dried flowers were turned to fresh lotus flowers. Their
beautiful fragrance was spread in the inner compound of
the temple. The joy of Mahatma Das knew no bounds when
he removed the rejuvenated flowers from his cloths. He
was extremely moved due to the mercy of Lord Jagannath
by way of removing him from this critical juncture.
The servitor (sevak) of the Lord Jagannath Temple knew
about the dried flowers previously. Everybody was
astonished to see the wonderful change with their own
eyes. Everybody now rightly understood that Mahatma Das
was really a staunch devotee of Lord Jagannath. The
deula karana (temple Accountant) was ordered to decorate
with the flowers as the rejected flowers again became
reusable due to the grandeur of the Lord. On this night
at the time of Badasinghar Vesha, Lord Jagannath
accepted the devotional offering of Mahatma Das.
Lord Jagannath, after the lotus flowers adoration,
became heavenly beautiful in the eyes of the devotees.
In the memory of this sacred pastimes, Lord Jagannath is
adorned with beautiful lotus flowers every year in the
month of Magha before Basanta Panchami, Wednesday or
Saturday.
At present, the Badachhata Matha, which is
adjacent to the Lions Gate, takes the pride for
arranging the pudding (khir) and Amalu (Malpua) which is
served to the Deities as a tasty offering after the
Vesha is over.
All the devotees of Lord Jagannath in and outside the
temple enjoy such tasty offerings and become very much
happy for the Vesha and the Bhoga of the Jagannath
temple made on this auspicious day. The Puspalaka
servitor (Singhari sevak) takes the credit for such
beautiful adoration and gets self-satisfaction for this
purpose.
Chappan
Bhog of Lord Jagannath
Daily Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath
Life style
of Puri people
The Kitchen of Srimandir, Biggest in the World.
History of the Narendra Tank
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