The Gajapati: King and Servant of Jagannath

In the divine land of Utkal, there is a tradition unlike any other in the world: here, the King is the first and foremost servant. The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, revered by the Odia people as the “Chalanti Vishnu” (the Walking Vishnu), holds a crown, yet his greatest honour is his service at the feet […]

Budhei Osha or Budhibaman Osha…

Among the manyΒ OshasΒ (ritual fasts) observed in the month of Bhadraba, one is ‘Budhei Osha’. It is also called ‘Budhibaman Osha’. The day Wednesday (Budhabara) is named after the planet Mercury (Budhagraha), who is known as the prince of the gods. The Budhei Osha is performed on this day. Generally, starting from the day after Shrabana […]

Salabega: The Devotee for Whom Jagannath Waited

The Bada Danda, the Grand Road of Puri, is more than just a street. It is a sacred stage where countless divine plays and miracles have unfolded. Of all these incredible stories, none touches the heart more than the tale of Salabega, the great devotee for whom Lord Jagannath himself stopped His chariot and waited. […]

Gahma Purnima: Lord Balabhadra’s Divine Birth Story

#ShravanPurnima is the birthday of Bada Thakura (the Elder Lord) Sri Balabhadra. On this day, a clay idol of him as an infant is made on theΒ janmavediΒ (birth altar) at the Markandeshwar Pushkarini (sacred pond), and his birth festival is celebrated with special rituals. Sri Sudarshan is also present there at that time. #SriBalabhadra is the […]

Jagannath’s Rakhi: The Heart-touching Story of Malati

Jagannath’s Sister, Malati You must read this beautiful story; it will bring tears to your eyes. Most of you have probably been to Puri to have aΒ darshanΒ (holy sight) of Lord Jagannath. On the way to Puri, there is a village called “Malati Patapur”. Previously, the name of that village was Patapur; over time, its name […]

Raksha Bandhan: Puranic Origins & Sacred Stories

Today’s Mythological StoryΒ  β›”β›”β›”β›”β›”β›”β›” The Scriptural Background of Raksha Bandhan =================== Shravan Purnima is an extremely sacred day. It is the birthday of Halayudha, Lord Sri Balaram. This full moon day is also known as Gahma Purnima, Jhulan Purnima, and Rakhi Purnima. Along with other festivities, the reason this day is recognized as a pan-Indian […]

Puri’s Six Sacred Ponds (Puskaranis)

When we think of Puri, our minds fill with images of the magnificent Srimandir and the roaring waves of the Mahodadhi, the great ocean. But the spiritual landscape of this holy city is also blessed with ancient, sacred water bodies known as Puskaranis. These are not just ponds; they are reservoirs of history, myth, and […]

Jagannath Consciousness in Odia Novels

For the people of Odisha, “Sri Jagannath” is more than just the name of a deity. It is the life force of the culture, a sacred consciousness known as Jagannath Chetana. This consciousness connects the Lord to every aspect of lifeβ€”from family functions and festivals to art, music, and dance. It’s no surprise that this […]

Sri Ramanujacharya’s Emar Matha Has Lost Its Splendor

In Srikshetra (Puri), the Jhulan Utsav (Swing Festival) is being celebrated with much pomp and grandeur in many mathas (monasteries), including the Srimandir. Large crowds are also gathering to have a darshan of Mahaprabhu amidst colorful canopies (kunja). However, amidst all this glitter and ceremony, the Jhulan Jatra of the 800-year-old Emar Matha, founded by […]

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