Puri: Gaur Vihar mutt in Odisha’s Puri prepared 851 types of traditional food to offer as prtasad to Lord Krishna on the occasion of Byanjan Dwadashi on Sunday.
As per tradition, the mutt has been cooking the traditional food on the day of 12th day of bright fortnight of Margashira month in Odia calendar. After the cooked food was offered to the Lord, it was served to the devotees free of cost on the day.
The Gaur Vihar mutt, located two km from the sea beach in the Pilgrim Town, is also called Mata mutt. From early in the morning on the day, around 40 women devotees start preparation of the rare prasad. The food items include different types of curries, sweets, kheer, dal, chutney, raita, fries, green leaves and rice.
“The mutt has been following this age-old tradition on the occasion of Byanjana Dwadashi on this day. The food items include 21 types of rice and 17 types of dal. Besides the volunteers in the mutt, devotees also render their services in preparation of the food,” said Subal Charan Das Maharaj, Mahant of the mutt.
It is believed that Lord Krishna’s mother Jashoda felt that her son had become weak due to lack of food and decided to cook so many varieties to serve to him. It was on this day that Jashoda had fed Lord Krishna with her own hands. The devotees, particularly of Gauda community, have been following this tradition for centuries.
