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Jaya
Jagannath,
The word Akshaya means
that which never diminishes. Hence people celebrate weddings, plan new
business ventures, long journeys and other events on this auspicious
day. Akshaya Trutiya is also celebrated as the birthday of Lord
Parshurama,( the sixth incarnation of Vishnu ) and Poet Jayadeva the
author of Gita Govinda. The ceremonial sowing of
paddy is also the main characteristic of this festival. This Festival
is grandly organized in every farming household. Farmers worship
Goddess Lakshmi and go ahead with sowing seeds. In western Orissa,
this festival is also called ‘Muthi Chhuan’, during which eating of
green-leaves ('Shag') is forbidden for a day.
Significance to Jagannatha Dharma :
On this third day (Trutiya) of the new moon month of Vaisakha, Lord
Madan Mohan, the representative idol of Lord Jagannath, his consort
Laxmi and Panch Mahadevs (believed to be incarnation of Panch Pandavas)
are ceremonially escorted by servitors along with a spectacular
martial arts show to enjoy their 21-day-long annual water sport summer
festival over giant swan shaped boats. The deities on their arrival at
the Narendra tank are accorded a sandal wood paste and aromatic water
bath for cooling effect. The rhythmic body movements of the palanquin
bearers in concert with swinging of the top half of the decorated
palanquin is a rare treat for the pilgrims and devotees. This scene is
repeated every day and on completion of 21 days the concluding
ceremony known as `Bhaunri' is observed with display of fireworks and
music extravaganza.
This propitious day also marks the beginning of the construction work
of the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi
Subhadra for the annual Rath Yatra. As per the religious tradition,
the temple priests hands over the `Agyan Malla' (the order of the Lord
Jagannath) to the headman of the temple carpenters clan and after
observance of ceremonial `homa' (consecration ceremony) the
construction of the chariots starts.
The Mythological Legend of this auspicious day :
It is also linked to the AKSHAYA PATRA given by SUNGOD to Draupadi,
which ever gives food. When the Pandavas were exiled to the forest for
12 years after a second gambling match, the Kurus made a clause, that
after the completion of twelve years the Pandavas had then to spend
one year incognito, thus making 13 years all told and If, during the
final year the Pandavas's whereabouts were discovered, they again had
to spend another 12 years in the forest. Because the Pandavas were
concerned how to feed the 'brahmanas' who accompanied them to the
forest, Draupadi was given a pot by the sun god called "Aksayapatra"
This pot would never be empty until Draupadi had taken her meal and
turned the pot upside down. Then it would produce no more for that
day. Team
Nilachakra preys at the lotus feet of Lord Jagannath, Bless the
universe that no living being go hungry for even once, Give us enough
power to work and earn our own food and feed the hunger. Jaya
Jagannath.
Regards
Team
Nilachakra |
