Lord Jagannath and Alarnath Dev

 Devotees of Lord Jagannath should not be worried about not getting a chance to have a darshan of their Lord during this Anasara period, but they are herewith requested to visit Alarnath Dev, at Bramhagiri in Puri District of Odisha, to get the same blessings from the almighty.

Lord Alarnath is famous because he is considered as the manifestation of Lord Jagannath of Puri during the period of Anasara. This is the period, when people are not permitted to have a darshan of the deities in Shree Mandir. But they can still avail the same blessings by having a darshan of Alarnath Dev at Bramhagiri.

Anasara has started from 16th June and will last up to 30th June in this year 2011. After completion of Anasara, a Netrotsava will be held, which is also a ritual of worship of Lord Jagannath and then on dwitiya or 2^nd day of Ashada, the famous Car festival or Rath Yatra will take place.

It is a popular belief that the ritualistic pious bathing of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on the eve of Snana Purnima (which was celebrated on 15th of June in 2011) makes them sick of fever for a fortnight and hence they take rest for the dark fortnight of the month of Ashada.

Alarnath Temple is in Bramhagiri at a distance of around 23 kms from Puri, which is also the nearest Railway Station. National Highway 203A passes through this place. The nearest airport to Bramhagiri is Biju Pattanaik Airport of Bhubaneswar 83 kms away.

Alarnath temple is although not a famous tourist destination but it is a prime religious place for the devotees especially during the period of Anasara.

The Legend - In 1610 A.D. Chitanya Mahaprabhu during his stay at Puri used to visit Lord Jagannath and his siblings regularly. However after the Maha Snana, the deities were taken to the secret chamber and public darshan was restricted. Not getting a glimpse of his beloved God, Chaitanya decided to end up his life. But the Lord was kind enough who told to find Him as Alarnath Dev in Bramhagiri.

It is further said that when Chaitanya visited for the first time, the stone below his feet was melted from His blissful touch. Today also one can witness the slab in front of the deity inside the temple, which bears the holy footprint of the saint.

Etymology - Myth says during Satya Yuga once Bramha started worshipping Vishnu on the top of a hill. Pleased by this, Vishnu asked him to make a four arm statue, holding conch shell, disk, club, and lotus in the four hands from a piece of black stone. Brahma created the idol accordingly and worshipped .The place was named Bramhagiri (the hill of Brahma) after his name.

The rulers of Alwar of Rajasthan constructed the temple approximately 11 hundred years back and so the deity was called Alwarnath which now transformed into the name Alarnath. Statues of Lord Krishna’s wife Rukmini and Satyabhama and the carrier of Vishnu Garuda, are also worshipped in this temple along with the main idol.

Among other offerings the delicious kheer or payasam is much hyped and in demand at Alarnath which is another attraction for the pilgrims. A famous tale is also heard about how the Lord literally eaten up the offered Kheer being pleased with the innocence of a little boy Madhu, the son of Sri Ketana.

There is also an interesting ritual of offering the first copy of any artistic work of creation to Alarnath Swami by writers, poets and musicians to make it popular and success.

"Raja" or "Raza" : The festival of Mother Earth and Women in Odisha

RadhaKrishna in Raza Doli

“Banaste Dakila Gaja, Baraske Thare Aasichi Raza, Gheni Nua Sajabaaja...”

This is the favorite slogan song of ‘Raja’ by which girls makes fun during this auspicious celebration.

'Raja' is the most popular festival of Eastern Odisha. It is dedicated to Mother Earth and women. The three day celebration of Raja Mahotsava is to welcome the monsoon. Women, including young virgins celebrate and enjoy it with some restrictions and abundant means of fun.

The philosophy of this festival is - Both Earth and Women are creators or mothers. Earth produces grains, fruits and other direct or indirect source of foods without which no living creature can sustain; Women give birth to babies and continue the generation. Both of them are auspicious, highly respectable and unavoidable to lead the concept of life.

Raja, in this context is the celebration to exhibit homage to both of this amazing creation without whose contribution, the idea of life is not possible.

The first day of the Hindu month 'Asada'is known as Raja Sankranti. It is also called 'Swing festival' as man-made swing is the most important feature of Raja Celebration. The swings are of different varieties, such as 'Ram Doli', 'Charki Doli', 'Pata Doli', 'Dandi Doli', Baunsa doli, jhula doli, Agi doli etc.

Early in the morning on the Pahili Raja day girls take complete pious bathe anointing turmeric on the whole body, as per the prevailing custom. However, they are restricted to take bathe in the coming two days. This is the time for them to look as beautiful as possible. They are also prohibited not to scratch the earth, not to move with bare feet and also not to cut or tear anything apart.

'Podha-Pitha' or burnt cake is the dominating recipe during Raja. It is a typical Odiya dish prepared out of rice-powder, molasses, coconut, camphor, ghee among other ingredients.

'Raja-Paana' is also gaining popularity as a mouth freshener recipe, these days.Raja, the age-old festival of Odisha is celebrated as if to respect the yearly menstrual period of Mother Earth. Unlike human beings, Earth is also provided with complete rest during these three days (not ploughed) so as to allow her to prepare herself the best, to provide maximum agricultural returns throughout the year. As per Odiya custom ladies are not allowed to cook and privileged to take rest during menstrual period. 

Odisha is not a rich state in comparison to others. But it is highly gifted with natural resources. Due to the simplicity of the people Mother Nature has given a lion’s share of natural wealth to the state. The people are also highly inspired by spiritual thoughts and love to convey their gratitude to the provider.

Small Girl enjoying Raja Swing

In 2011, the date of Pahili Raja is June 14. 15^th June will be celebrated as Raja Sankranti. It is more pious in this year as a lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahana) is also taking place on this day.

Hence We on behalf of Jay Mata Di Group appeal all the devotional people to take benefit of the auspicious Raja Sankranti.

Wish you all a happy ‘Raja’.