PURI: Thousands of devotees visited the Gundicha temple at Puri on Tuesday to pay obeisance to the Trinity seated on the ‘Adapa Mandap’. There was also a rush among devotees to partake the Mahaprasad, believed to be cooked in kitchen of the Gundicha temple by the Trinity’s aunt.
The dishes, comprising ‘anna’, dal, mixed vegetable curry, ‘khatta’ and ‘khiri’, cooked for the deities are similar to the ones offered in the 12th century shrine, the permanent abode of the deities. During nine days from Rath Yatra to Bahuda Yatra, the spotlight shifts to the Gundicha temple.
Early on Tuesday morning, the servitors performed the daily rituals of the three deities in the Gundicha temple. The Lords were offered breakfast after the Sakhala Dhupa, lunch after Madhyana Dhupa and dinner after Sandhya Dhupa. After every offering of ‘Bhog’, the clothes of the deities were changed while people were allowed to have darshan during Sahana Mela. It is believed that a glimpse of the deities on ‘Adapa Mandap’ brings prosperity to the devotee.
Meanwhile, locals expressed resentment over tight traffic arrangements that continue to be in place on the entire stretch of Grand Road. Barricades have been raised from Hospital Square to Gundicha temple. Locals said vehicular movement is being hampered due to the traffic restrictions.
Seminar on Jagannath Culture
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram said Jagannath culture is unique in many ways and the Union Government is taking all possible measures to preserve it. Speaking at a seminar organised by Sri Jagannath Sanskruti Surakhya Bahini recently, he stressed on propagation of Jagannath culture.