Poda Pitha offered to Lord Jagannath at Mausi Maa temple during Bahuda Yatra
Puri: As the Bahuda Yatra approaches, the sacred ritual of preparing Poda Pitha for Lord Jagannath and his sibling deities begins in Puri. This traditional baked cake, made with love and care, is offered to the deities at the Mausi Maa temple, a revered spot on the Grand Road of Puri, during the Bahuda Yatra.
The Preparation of Poda Pitha
The preparation of Poda Pitha is a unique and intricate process. A mixture of flour, sugar, almonds, cardamom, cloves, and desi ghee is pounded and shaped into Poda Pithas. These are then steamed for about 8 hours, cooled, cut into pieces, and fried in desi ghee. The Poda Pithas are then offered to the three deities – Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra – in three earthen pots on the return journey day.
The significance of Poda Pitha
Poda Pitha holds a special place in the heart of Mahaprabhu, Lord Jagannath. Despite receiving various offerings throughout the year, Mahaprabhu eagerly awaits the Poda Pitha prepared by his aunt, Mausi Maa, on the day of Bahuda Yatra.
On the previous day of the Amabasya (No moon day) in the month of Bhadraba, Lord Jagannath asks Devi Dakshina Kali by providing an Agyanmala to prepare ‘Satapuri Pitha’. Obeying the request, the Goddess prepares seven types of puradia pithas and offer it to Lord Jagannath on the no moon day in three tadas.
Similarly, on the day of Makar Sankranti, Goddess Mahalakshmi herself prepares 84 types of cakes and offers the same to the Mahaprabhu. Apart from this, different types of cakes (pithas) are offered to the Thakurs every day.
The Ritual at Mausi Maa Temple
On the day of Bahuda Yatra, the three chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra halt in front of Mausi Maa temple. The deities are offered Poda Pitha, prepared with love and devotion by the priest. For this year Biswanath Mishra, the priest of Mausi Maa temple has already begun the process to prepare the Poda Pitha. After being offered to Lord Jagannath, the Poda Pitha is distributed to devotees, who consider it a privilege to receive this sacred offering.
