Anasara Fruit Cart Departs from Deuli Matha to Shri Jagannath Temple
Kakatpur | 28.06 (Tushar Dixit):
Lord Jagannath is renowned more for His human-like pastimes than for His divine miracles. With thirteen major festivals celebrated across the twelve months and countless devotional rituals, Jagannath culture holds a significant place in Odisha’s spiritual heritage. Several monasteries (mathas) and temples across different regions of Utkal are closely linked with the rituals and services of the Jagannath Temple, particularly those along the sacred ancient river Kshetra Nadi described in the Puranas.
One such significant institution is Deuli Matha, situated on the banks of the Prachi River, which is associated with several key rituals like the secretive preparations during Nabakalebara and the Padhuan Ashtami services from Madhava Mandir. After the divine bathing ceremony (Snana Purnima), the Chaturdha Murtis (the four deities) enter a period of fever-like rest (Anasara), during which they are treated with herbal oils like Phuluri Tel for recovery.
As part of the traditional Anavasara Seva (service during the resting period), a cart (shagadi) loaded with fruits departed from Deuli Matha toward Puri. Accompanied by the rhythmic beats of khola (drums) and mridanga, the devotees and the bullock-drawn cart passed through various villages and temple sites while chanting Sankirtan. The cart carried a rich offering of delicious fruits, tulsi (holy basil), and lotus garlands, all donated by the matha and devotees, destined for the service of Lord Jagannath in Srikshetra.
The journey included halts at predetermined temple sites, where the devotees rested and continued singing the Lord’s glories. This padayatra (pilgrimage on foot), organized by the Prachi Sanskriti Suraksha Parishad, traditionally begins from Deuli Matha on Anasara Saptami and reaches Puri on Navami. The offerings are then submitted at the Nrusingha Chakada within the Shri Jagannath Temple complex and the lotus flowers are specially offered to Goddess Bimala.
For the past three years, under the auspices of the Deuli Math Development Charitable Trust, the offerings have been sent in a beautifully decorated traditional cart, a practice that has been welcomed and appreciated by the servitors of Maa Mangala Temple and the scholars of Muktimandap Sabha, according to a statement from the trust.
