Bags of gifts in the name of ‘Podhuan Bhar’ to the Shreemandir, which reached here on Tuesday from the Madhab Temple at Niali has caused some flutters about a new uncle of Lord Jagannath.
Around five sets of bags hanging on shoulders by men reached the Puri temple in a huge procession from Niali. In their pious attire, they marched on the Puri-Konark marine drive road amidst dances and bands. They handed over the bags to the Jagannath temple marking as Poduan Bhar for Lord Balabhadra, the elder brother of Lord Jagannath on the occasion of Podhuan Astami which was observed on Wednesday.
Lord Balabhadra is the eldest among the three siblings including Him, Lord Jagannath and Devi Suvadra. After arrival of the gifts, the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) received them as public donations. The SJJTA did not accept them as ‘Podhuan Bhar’ from uncle’s house as there is no such tradition.
Since there is nothing in record of temple that Lord Madhab in Niali is uncle of the holy deities, so the SJTA received them as general gifts to the Lords, said Niti Administrator Jitendra Sahu. Sahu stated that there is nothing in record and it is no wrong if anybody offers gift on his/her own.
Among the content in the bags were the newly harvested paddy, rice, black gram, besides coconuts, ghee, spices, various sweetmeats, fruits and new dresses. Notably, there has been a belief in Niali that Lord Madhab is the uncle of Lord Jagannath. To honour a local belief in Niali, the devotees for the first time introduced the tradition and undertook the holy sojourn to the Puri temple with Poduan Bhar for Lord Balabhadra.