Why offering of Puri’s Lord Jagannath temple called ‘Mahaprasad’
The prasad found in any pilgrimage place is called Prasad, but the one from Lord Jagannath's temple in Puri is uniquely called Mahaprasad.
Lord Jagannath of Puri in Odisha is revered not only by Odias or Hindus but also as the Lord of the world. That’s why His temple is called ‘Bada Deula’ or ‘big temple’, and the prasad is termed ‘Mahaprasad’. It’s believed that even a small amount of Mahaprasad grants the virtue of seven births. Even Brahmins accept it from the hands of a Chandal, highlighting its sacred nature.
The prasad found in any pilgrimage place is called Prasad, but the one from Lord Jagannath’s temple in Puri is uniquely called Mahaprasad. This naming has a hidden secret. A legend connects Vallabhacharya, a prominent Vaishnavite saint, with Lord Jagannath and Mahaprasad. Vallabhacharya, founder of the Pushtimarg sect, visited Puri and had a profound experience. He was a great devotee of Lord Krishna and had a vision where Lord Jagannath revealed Himself as Krishna.
One day, invited to partake in the Mahaprasad, Vallabhacharya hesitated, feeling unworthy. Lord Jagannath, pleased with his devotion, appeared in his dream and instructed him to take the Mahaprasad. When Vallabhacharya partook in it, he experienced a deep spiritual connection, realizing the divine nature of the offering. This incident highlighted the significance of Mahaprasad, reinforcing the belief that the food offered to Lord Jagannath is imbued with His divine presence. From then on, the prasad became known as Mahaprasad.
The temple kitchen, ‘Roshashala’, employs 500 cooks and 300 assistants to cook this Mahaprasad. And it is believed that the offering is cooked only by the blessings of Maa Lakshmi.
