Puri: Today marked a truly special day for thousands of devotees in Puri as the first ‘Adapa Mandap Abhada,’ prepared with organically grown rice, was offered to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra at the Shree Gundicha Temple.
Following the ceremonial ‘Adapa Mandap Bije’ of the Trinity on 29 June, the aroma of the pure, chemical-free Mahaprasad filled the air, much to the delight of the eager pilgrims on auspicious Monday 30 June afternoon.
After their journey from the Srimandir and a night’s halt in their chariots at Saradhabali, the Holy Trinity was ceremonially escorted into their temporary abode, the Adapa Mandap (believed to be their birthplace), late yesterday evening.
This morning, the sacred kitchen at the Gundicha Temple hummed with activity as servitors prepared the special Abhada, incorporating the newly introduced organic rice varieties.
A Feast for the Senses and Soul:
Devotees queued patiently from early morning for ‘Adapa Darshan’ and the opportunity to partake in the ‘Adapa Abhada.’ The Mahaprasad, revered as a direct blessing from the deities, is particularly sought after during the Rath Yatra period when the Lords reside at Shree Gundicha Temple. The use of organic rice, primarily from Koraput’s indigenous varieties like Kalajira, Basubhoga, and Govindabhoga, has added a new layer of spiritual purity and gastronomic appeal.
“The taste is simply divine,” exclaimed a devotee from Bhubaneswar, holding a plate of the fragrant Abhada. “Knowing that it’s made with organic rice makes it even more special. It feels like a true offering of nature to the Lord.”
Another pilgrim, who had traveled from West Bengal, commented, “We always make it a point to have the Adapa Abhada. This year, with the organic rice, it feels even healthier and more sanctified. It’s a wonderful initiative by the temple administration.”
The ‘Amruta Anna’ Vision Takes Shape:
This successful rollout of organic rice in the Adapa Mandap Abhada is a significant milestone in the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration’s (SJTA) ambitious ‘Amruta Anna’ project. All credit goes to Dr.Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator.
The project aims to gradually shift all Mahaprasad preparations at the Srimandir to entirely organic ingredients, ensuring the highest standards of purity and sustainability.
Discussions have been ongoing for months, involving the SJTA, Agriculture Department, and local farmer producer organizations (FPOs) in Koraput and other parts of Odisha. The initial success at the Adapa Mandap is a testament to these collaborative efforts.
While the primary focus today was on the delicious and pure Abhada, devotees also expressed their appreciation for the enhanced arrangements for ‘Adapa Darshan’ and crowd management at the Shree Gundicha Temple, especially in light of recent events. The temple administration has implemented various measures to ensure a smooth and safe experience for all.
For the next six days, until the Bahuda Jatra, pilgrims will continue to have the opportunity to relish the unique ‘Adapa Abhada’ at the Gundicha Temple, a spiritual and culinary highlight of the annual Rath Jatra.
The commitment to organic ingredients promises to elevate this sacred offering, strengthening the bond between faith, tradition, and sustainable living.