TO LORD JAGGANNATH WITH LOVE

This year i have had the time to celebrate like i never had before because i was finished with papers and had taken a retreat back home .Unlike the fables and stories of Geet Govind and Bal krishna ive had little privilege to have come across the story of lord Jaggannath . Presiding majestically in the very ancient Orrisan temple the lord is one generous being with no pretensions no tantrums and a beautiful childish grin. This July something struck me and it so happened that i felt i must watch the procession of the lord . After a lot of surfing i saw that DD was airing the procession live and was was delighted to see the 3 majestic chariots with wheels and horses made of wood . Traditionally the entire occasion is celebrated with lots of pomp and show . Legend has it that once it so happened that Gudisha (a woman devotee who was the wife of that places king in that era )was an ardent devotee of lord krishna. She was a pious woman who had no enchantment or attachment for the material comforts . For her Gopal or shri Krihna was her only refuge and like a true follower she wud offer her prayers and give bhog to her lord everyday. One evening after she had offered her prayers she felt more tired than usual and fell asleep.When she woke up she saw the palatial room filled with a brilliant light and a very handsome face peering at her .With 4 hands and Pitamber draped across the legs the divine figure decked in ornate jewellery was standing at her bedside. His aura was stunning and he held shankh(conch) , chakra , gada , padma(lotus) in his 4 hands. When gudisha saw this her jaw dropped and it took her a minute to realise what was happening ? When she recollected her senses tears welled in her eyes as she could make sense that her GOPAL HAD ARRIVED!