Everyday throughout the
year fiftysix varieties of dishes are prepared and offered to the Deities of the
Jagannath Temple. These consist of preparation of rice,dal and other selected
vegetables. The food cooked in accordance with prescribed procedures, and is
offered first to Lord Jagannath and then to Goddess Vimala after which it turns
into Mahaprasad. Mahaprasad, the holy food, is freely shared by people of all
castes and creeds without any discrimination. In all religious and social
rituals in Puri and Orissa, Mahaprasad plays a very important role. Exchange of
Mahaprasad between two persons belonging to two different castes binds them in
an abiding relationship. Mahaprasad and other offerings made to the deities are
sold to public in Ananda Bazar on the north-east corner of the outer enclosure
of the Jagannath temple, where every day thousands of piligrims buy and eat
various types of food.
Mahaprasad is cooked only in earthen pots inside the temple
kitchen and medium of food is fire wood only. When the cooked food is carried to
the offering hall in slings of earthen pots no flavour comes up from the food
but when the same is offered to Lord Jagannath and Vimala and carried back to
the sale point, a delicious smell spells along in the breeze to the pleasant
surprise of the devotees. Now the food is blessed. Mahaprasad can only be eaten
on banana leaf and sitting on the floor.
There is a legend behind Mahaprasad. In Tretaya
Yuga after beheading Ravana, the ten-faced monster in Srilanka, Lord
Ramachandra, Laxman and others had returned to Ayodha. It was Urmila, the
consort of Lord Laxman who was silently listening to the great happenings. All
were unanimous that Laxmana was instrumental in killing Indrajit. All were
discussing that Indrajit was so powerful and got boon that only that person who
has not taken food for fourteen years constantly and who has not slept for
fourteen years uninterruptedly can kill Indrajit. There was a meeting inside the
palace in the evening time to know the truth behind this matter. Lord Rama
questioned to Laxman that, Oh Laxman you have not taken food for continuous
fourteen years, and what happened to those food packets, which I had given you
at Panchabati during our stay ? Laxman patiently replied, Oh Lord, I have kept
all those food packets in hole of Sami Tree at Panchabati. In order to ascertain
the authenticity Lord Rama said, Oh Hanuman you go to Panchabati and bring back
those food packets, which have been preserved in the hole of 'Sami Tree'. Lord
Hanuman developed enigma on this matter. He thought, Lord is aware of my
strength.
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He knows that I had brought the Gandhamardana mountain in one hand, when Laxman
was unconscious by the arrow of Indrajit. He became hesitant to bring those food
packets, but at last he performed journey from Ayodhya to Sami Tree at
Panchabati. Hanuman saw that those food packets have been kept intact but when
he attempted to lift those food packets he could not lift and at last returned
to Ayodhya and with humble words told his master, that he could not lift those
food packets. Lord Rama could know that due to Hanumana's ego that he could not
lift those food packets. At last Laxman said I will fetch those food packets
from Panchabati. Laxman with his powerful arrow could bring back those food
packets and all were accumulated in front of Lord Rama. Lord Rama was surprised
and asked Hanuman to ascertain that whether the food items supplied to Laxmana
for fourteen years have been kept intact or not ? Hanuman counted and informed
that seven packets were not available. Lord Rama was eager to know from Laxman
about those missing packets. Laxman most humbly replied let me tell the mistery
behind it.
Laxman said that when you and I had listened the news of death
of our dearest father, Dasaratha in the forest you had not supplied me, the food
on that very day. When we got the news that Ravana has kidnapped Sita from
Panchabati on that day you did not supply the food packet. Then it was on third
occasion when Mahi Ravana took both of us to Patala to offer sacrifice before
Lankeswari on that day also we were in fast and took no food. On fourth
occasion, when I became unconscious, due to arrow hitting of Indrajit I was not
in a state to take food. On the day when Indrajit was beheaded I had not taken
food for fifth time. It was on the sixth occasion that when you beheaded Ravana
you did not take any food. You had committed Brahmahatya as Ravana was a Brahmin
and he was the son of Bisrarba Rishi. Lastly, when there was national mourning
due to death of Ravana in Sri Lanka on the next day we joined the mourning and
left Lanka without taking any food.
Lord Rama was overwhelmed with the supreme sacrifice and
dedication by Laxman. Then he praised the supreme sacrifice of Urmila, that how
she spent fourteen years without Laxman. Lord Rama told - 'I had gone to
fourteen years exile with my wife Sita. See such a wife who had made supreme
sacrifice. She had eagerly waited the return of Laxman for fourteen years. All
praise goes to Urmila. In Ayodhya we have got three thrones, one for me, one for
Sita and another throne for Laxman. So the fourth throne will be installed for
Urmila'. Urmila told Lord Rama, that 'I have no desire for any throne. I may be
given the opportunity to serve you.' Then Rama was pleased and told Urmila, to
seek for the boon as she wants. Then humble Urmila said that if you want to
grant me any boon, then please grant that in the ages to come there will be
neither any temple for me, nor I will be worshipped on any throne. I want to
become an incense stick by which I will give fragrance to you all. I will be at
your lotus feet for ages to come. Lord Rama was so pleased and told 'I grant you
this boon that in the Kali Yuga when I will be worshipped at Puri Temple,
Goddess Laxmi will not be installed by my side. Laxman in Treteya Yuga has
become my younger brother and in Kali Yuga he will be my elder brother
Balabhadra. You will be Mahaprasad and by your fragrance you will spread the
flavour and will be worshipped. Any Prasad which will be offered to me will be
offered to Goddess Vimala and then it will be Mahaprasad and will be taken as
Prasad by devotees. You will remain as Mahaprasad for years to come. Devotees
will worship you, so Tretaya's Urmila is the Goddess Vimala in Kali Yuga.
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