Jagannath Society of California

Jai Jagannatha Swami ::: Nayana Patha Gaami ::: Bhavatu Me

Irvine Temple, 1861 Reynolds Ave., Irvine June 24th 2017 by Jagannath Society of California

Web link: http://jagasocal.org/ Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/jagasocal.org

ଭକ୍ତି ଓ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧା

ଅଶ ାକ ଶେନା

ୋନଙ୍କୁ |

ଭୋବମର ବିମ୍ୋୱେ |

ସୋନ ସୋନ ପିଲ୍ୋ ୋମନ, ନି ୋୟିକ ଭକ୍ତିମର ପୁଷ୍ପର ଅଞ୍ଜେି ଭରି ନତ ସ୍ତକ ପିତୋ, ୋତୋ ଓ ଠୋକୁରଙ୍କ ସ କ୍ଷମର | ଗୁରୁଜନ ୋନଙ୍କର ଆଶୀବବୋଦ ମସ ୋନଙ୍କର ଭକ୍ତିର ପ୍ରୋପୟ | ନିଷ୍ପୋପ ହୃଦୟମର ପ୍ରଭୁ ଭରିଦିଅ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧୋ ଓ ଭକ୍ତି | ପିତୋ

ୋତୋ, ଜୀବନ୍ତ ଠୋକୁର | ନ ୁଇ ଁଯୋଏ ଏକ ଭକ୍ତିପୁଣବ ଧୁର ମଳୋକ ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଆଗମର

ତୁମ ବ ୋତୋ ଚ ପିତୋ ତୁମ ବ, ତୁମ ବ ବନ୍ଧୁ ଚ ସଖୋ ତୁମ ବ ,

ତୁମ ବ ବିଦୟୋ ଦ୍ରବିନଂ ତୁମ ବ, ତୁମ ବ ସବବ ମଦବ ମଦବ

ପ୍ରତି ବଷବ ଆ ର ଏଇ ଭକ୍ତି ପତ୍ରିକୋ ଆକଷିତ କରୁଅ ି ନୂଆ ମଲ୍ଖକର ମଲ୍ଖନୀ | ଭକ୍ତି ଓ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧୋ ଏ ପତ୍ରିକୋର

ୂେଦୁଆ ଓ ଉମଦଶୟ | ଦକ୍ଷିଣ କୋଲ୍ିମ ୋର୍ଣ୍ଣିଆ ର ଓଡିଆ ବୋସୀ, ପ୍ରତିବଷବ ସହମଯୋଗ କରୁ ନ୍ତି ଓ କରିମବ ଆ ର

ଏଇ ଭକ୍ତି ପତ୍ରିକୋର ଉତ୍କଷବତୋ ପୋଇ ଁ| ଜଗନ୍ନୋଥ ସ ସ୍ତଙ୍କର ଙ୍ଗେ କରନ୍ତୁ |

Another step forward

By: Abhijit Manushree

In 2017 Jagannath Society of California celebrates six year of Ratha Yatra in Irvine Mandir, Southern California. The event is flourishing year by year, with increasing number of volunteers and devotees are joining the occasion. Hard work and meticulous planning goes into organizing and executing such an event flawlessly. Without the divine blessing this probably would not have been possible. During these years, Mandir location has changed few times. However that has not been a deterrent to the determination of volunteers. We wish that this community building event continue to be a permanent fixture of Southern California. Along with the event, this magazine has become a source of knowledge sharing and inspires community members to stimulate their creativity. Jai Jagannath.

Jagannath: A Symbiosis of Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Buddhism, and Tribalism

By Nirode Mohanty*

Jagannath, also known as Neela Madhava (Blue Stone-sapphire), was worshipped in a deep forest, by tribal chief Viswavasu, a Savara. Shri Jagannath, an incarnation of Vishnu, made a journey in the ocean in a form of a wooden log from Dwarka, Gujrat. It was established in Puri, Odisha by the King Anantavarman Chodaganga in 1161.Jagannath, Lord of the Universe, is worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists, in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Gujarat, Assam, Manipur and Tripura. He was discovered in the Mount Neela by Vidyapati, the messenger of King Indradyumna of Malwa, a great devotee of Vishnu. Vidyapati, a Brahmin, found the lustrous beautiful hill, Neela, but not Madhava. Vidyapati and his entourage camped at the Neela hill and begged Viswavasu to see his God. Viswavasu refused to show his God Neela Madhava. Viswavasu's only child Lalita fell in love with Vidyapti. They got married in a tribal way. Still Vidyapati had no luck to convince Viwavasu to see Neela Madhava. After a lot of persuasion by the married couple, Viswavasu took him with his eyes blind folded. Finally, Vidyapati saw the deity Neela Madhava and begged to take to Him and promised to keep all, puja and paddhati, worships according to tribal method of worship of Neela Madhav, but He

4 vanished. On hearing this, Indradyumna made a pilgrimage to Odisha in the quest of Neela Madhava. Viswavasu died, not finding Neel Madhava. The King prayed to Vishnu to appear before him. After a lot of prayer, fasting, and sacrifices by the king, He came back to the Puri Shore as a Daru Brahma, the wooden log. The King invited the whole world of carpenters and sculptors to make Vishnu out of the log, but no one could make it as none of them had seen Vishnu except Viswavasu, who was no more. However, three deities, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Jagannath, along with Sudarshan, had the imagery of tribalism. Buddhism and Utkaliya family tradition. Even today, Savaras and Brahmins heritages, as in several centuries, have been coalesced. The Daitapatis (custodians of the deity) claim that they are the descendants from the Brahmin Vidyapati through the Savara mother Lalita and the deities are left to their sole care during the Snana Yatra and the car festival. They also observe the funeral rites of Jagannath during Nabakalebara, occurring every 19 years.

Puri, known as Purushottam Khetra, is not only a sacred place for the Vaishnavas but is also equally sacred for the Saivas, Sauras, Saktas, Ganapatyas and even for the Buddhists and the Jainas. Jagannath Dharma has uniquely assembled people of different faiths, castes and creeds under one common bond of unity in diversity. Vaishnavism and Jagannathism have differences: While Vaishnavism is traditionally about the physical, metaphysical love of Lord Krishna and Radha, Jagannathism is Universal Brotherhood, wherein two brothers stand in guard for their sister. All the deities are served healthy vegetarian meals of sixty-four dishes. Laxmi, the consort of Vishnu, is a sacred part of the temple complex, known as Laxmi mandir, is served vegetarian food that is served to Jagannath. However, during Durga puja, Vimala Devi, located in the Jagannath temple complex, is served non-vegetarian food. Though a small shrine in the temple complex, the Vimala temple is important to the Goddess-oriented Shakta and Tantric worshippers, who revere it even more than the main Jagannath shrine. Vimala is the Tantric consort of Jagannath and a guardian of the temple complex. Devotees pay respect to Vimala before worshipping Jagannath in the main temple. Food offered to Jagannath does not get sanctified as Mahaprasad until it is also offered to Vimala. Jagannath is perceived as 'Bhairav' and Vimala as 'Bhairavi'. The prevalence of Shakti cult at Puri is borne out by the discovery of Sapta Matruka image near Markandeya tank. Some Tantrik Buddhists like Indrabhuti attributed

Buddhahood to Lord Jagannath. The Shakta worship is part of Jagannath worship. In the Buddhist literature, Buddha is named as Nath, Jagannath, Lokanath, and Jeena, . Ashoka came to Kalinga in 261 BC, to worship Buddha in his birth place after 12 years of the Kalinga War. He was overwhelmed by brutality of the death of millions of people and rampant destruction of their homes and heathens and witnessing the river of blood. He changed from Chandashoka to Dharmashoka. The Sanskrit scholar late Prahallad Pradhan and the historian late Navin Kumar Saho have written that birthplace of Buddha is Kapilavastu, Odisha, not Nepal. The Buddhists claim that the three idols represent not Hindu gods but the “three jewels” or “tri ratnas” that are the central principles of Buddhism: Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. The fourth idol—a carving of the Sudarshan chakra—sits somewhat behind the current idols. The most interesting Buddhist claim must do with an unknown substance called “Brahma” that lies inside the navel of the main idol, Jagannath. Hindus say that it was the original blue stone, but Buddhists say that this Brahma is Buddha’s tooth relic that was brought from Kushi Nagar, to Puri, where He died. The twelfth century poet Joydev calls Buddha is an incarnation of Vishnu. Jainism of the 3rd and 4th centuries, followed by Buddhism in the 5th to 7th centuries, then the Advaita philosophy propagated by Shankara in the 8th century, followed by an upsurge in Shaivism or Shiva worship in the 10th century, the king Chodaganga Deva had built the current temple of Jagannath in Puri. The prevalence of Shaivism in Puri is borne out by the existence of Shiva temples like Markandeyeshwar, Pataleshwar and Lokanath. The propagation of Vaishnavism by Ramanuja in the early part of the 12th century A.D. gave a fresh impetus to Vaishnavism in Orissa. The Ganga monarch Chodaganga Deva seems to have come under the influence of Ramanuja. Chodaganga was a Saiva and but was called as both Parama Maheswara(Shiva) and Parama Vishnu. The three images of Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra represent the Jaina Trinity. Sudarshan is the Jaina symbol of Dharma chakra and Kaivalya (liberation), a term so exclusively common in Jagannath has been derived from Jaina sources. Jagannath is worshipped as God of Tantra- involving mantras, meditation, yoga, and ritual. We notice various Nyasas such as Sadanga-nyasa, Kasbadi-nyasa, Matrkanyasa, Sodha-nyasa and Mahasodha-nyasa in the daily mode of worship of Jagannath. These bear testimonies to the influence of tantrism on the cult of Jagannath. In the daily worship of Lord and at the time of Darupratistha (installation of new image), representation of Sri Yantra, Bhubaneswari, Yantra

6 and various Mandalas are also noticed. Jagannath is worshipped as Krushna Vasudeva. But due to the influence of Tantrism, Jagannath is perceived as 'Dakshin Kali', Balabhadra as 'Jyotirmayeem Tara' and Devi Subhadra as 'Adyasakti Bhubaneswari'. Jagannath is the God of many religions. Even, Muslims like Kabir, Haridas, Salabega devoted their entire life before Jagannath and sang Bhajans, devotional songs

 Based on several Orissa Reviews, Telegraph, and historical texts.

Bhajan’s

By: Sarat Chandra Panda

Bhajan #1: Sanja Sakaale Aarati ra Bele Bhajan #2: Dekha re Mita Gundichaa Jaata

Dressy Day on Rath Yatra!

By: Tia Manushree

Every Rath Yatra for the past five years, my Dad takes my sister and me to the city of Cerritos, which is a mini India by itself, to buy us a traditional Indian dress. It has become a hard fest ritual. Honestly, I like the fact that I get to choose my own Indian dress, usually, our folks send dresses from India which we totally appreciate. As soon as I step in the store, the employees are ready to help find an attire which best suits us. This is not a common practice in any other clothing store. The store helpers must work hard as they open each box or package with the dress or saree in it and spread it or actually let you put it on before we make a choice...patience at its peak. Then gradually they fold all the random clothes into its individual packet to be placed back in the shelf. I was so amazed and totally bewildered when a lady asked to show at least fifty saree's to which the store helper obliged and spread it out for her and then she decides to walk out bargaining. I still try to understand or read the customers mind. Well of course Rath Yatra dress shopping ordeal has made me thoughtful. Thanks Daddy, Abhijit Manushree for making it a ritual, the only time we like to go to Artesia or Cerritos. And not to forget the Pan we enjoy after shopping.

Praying By: Sunay Nayak

Many people pray. Some people pray if they are stressed because it is relaxing. When I ask my mom, she says prayer gives her peace. People do it together in temples so they can bond. When multiple people sing together or pray it may bond them. When people pray, they feel relaxed they feel good and have peace. Praying is also very peaceful. I don’t personally pray every day, but I always have it in my heart. Praying and showing belief into a higher being is something that we tend to take for granted? It can calm people’s mind about very tough or hard moments in their life. In my house, I hear prayer every day. The music in the prayer sounds nice. Even if I don’t sit there and pray with my mom I kind of like it. May be one day I will.

Importance By Rishi Misra

Three deities on a chariot sitting side by side

Being pulled by the devotees and admirers

Though only some realize the inner meaning

The joyful mood sets the tone of the celebration

Hundreds of people show their love for the gods and gather around

The sound, the music, the love, and the happiness all meet together

Devotees touch the rope and respect the importance

Because after all they take us in their arms

And help us everyday

They brace us and do not quit

So it is important to respect them

Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra all make a difference

They change our views and perspectives

And they also give a new form of enlightenment

As Ratha Yatra just turns to the finishing point, Bahuda rolls up

And it is time for the three deities to return home

The celebration starts the next year, but God is always with us

I get the feeling and I understand it because God is always there in my thread!

Lord Jagannath – Beyond Religion

Abhisri Dash (Dori)

Being born in a Hindu Odia family, my parents always encouraged me to recognize the broadness of Jagannath sanskriti or culture. I was told how Lord Jagannath loves His devotees apart from the caste, color, and religion. Lord Jagannath is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu for Kalyug. What influences me the most is how Lord Jagannath is a symbol of humanity and beyond the religions.

Lord Jagannath is considered as a lord symbolizing cosmic zero, being the trinity – Jagannath (in Black), Balabhadra (in White) & Subhadra ( in Yellow), are the color of human races and symbolizes three human qualities of Hindu philosophy – Sattwa, Raja and Tama respectively. Jagannath culture knows no caste, no color, and no religion barriers. It stands for unity, equality, fraternity and brotherhood. The Ratha Yatra or car festival of Lord Jagannath is an epitome of international integration that lays support to the concept of one world.

The prophets and saints starting from Adi Guru Sankaracharya, Sikh Guru Nanak, Vaisnavite Sri Chaitanya Dev, Ganapati Bhatta (devotee of Lord Ganesh), and the Muslim turned Hindu devotee Hari Das, Kabir, the Muslim devotee and poet Salbeg, the Christian devotee Captain Beat etc. found Lord Jagannath so dear and near to them. The stories of Dasia Bauri, Hari Das, and Bandhu Mohanty lead and inspire an atheist to believe the celestial precepts of Lord Jagannath.

Salbeg is a celebrated devotee in spite of being a Muslim. He has composed a number of poems popularly known as ‘Bhajans’ and ‘Jananas’ conveying the profoundness of his devotion. It is said that Salbeg was completely bedridden suffering from a serious disease. He began praying Lord Jagannath as the Lord of the Universe; eventually he recovered from the illness and became a great devotee of Lord Jagannath. Once, he was receding from ‘Vrindaban’ and got late to witness the Ratha Yatra at Puri. He prayed to the lord to wait for him till he reached the ‘Bada Danda’ so that he would not miss out the chance of watching him. ‘Nandighosa’, the chariot of Lord Jagannath stopped and did not move an inch from there as the Lord himself waited for Salbeg.

Legend says the Guru Nanak has arrived at Puri with his disciple ‘Mardana’, a Muslim follower. When Guru Nanak reached Puri Beach in the evening near the present ‘Swargadwara’, he sat on meditation. Mardana was hungry but he was a Muslim and not allowed to enter the Jagannath temple for Mahaprasad. So the disciple blamed Nanak for selecting such a place where they had to face starvation. Suddenly, someone appeared and offered them food and drink in golden utensils. In the early hours of morning, there was a commotion in the Jagannath temple because the gold utensils of the Lord were missing. The news was conveyed to the Maharaja of Puri. Guru Nanak appeared to the Maharaja in his dream that night. So when the Maharaja heard about the theft, he smiled and marched towards the sea beach in a procession to welcome the Saint. Then, with honor, Nanak was invited to visit the temple at the time of Arati in the evening.

Eminent scholars have described the relation of Jagannath culture with Jainism, Buddhism and other cultures. The relation between the Jainism and Sri Jagannath culture is interesting. Jain philosophers and devotees have compared Triratna of Jainism with Sri Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. There is a great similarity between the images of Nilamadhabha and Jaina Triratna. It is said that the Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath is Kaivalya and this is a derivative of the Kaivalya or the concept of salvation of Jainas.

Mahayana Buddhists propagated that the image of Lord Jagannath is of the Buddha. And Triratna of Buddhism – Buddha, Dharma & Sangha are compared with Jagannath, Balabhadra & Subhadra. Adi Buddha is even now called Jagannath in Nepalese Buddhism.

Thus, the culture of Jagannath is an epitome of divergent religious creeds and schools of philosophy. God created human being and human being created religions which later divided people. The Jagannath culture keeps all the people around the world united. We thank Lord Jagannath for inspiring and changing our lives towards universal brotherhood.

Jai Jagannath Jai Balabhadra Jai Subhadra

Good Humans

By: Ayesha Misra (Richa)

Religion across the world is used as a moral compass, and on this day of an important religious celebration, some food for thought:

Disclaimer: Several words in this article are depicted with quotes around them; the purpose is not to sound airy, but to remind the reader that these specific words have definitions that are not set in stone, but are rather open for the reader’s interpretation.

It is widely believed children are born primarily innocent --blank slates-- when they enter the world. Of course, genetics can result in some exceptions, certain unavoidable psychological tendencies are innate, and some are learned over the course of childhood. But upon initial entry, the human child knows nothing of the civilized world and its “rules”. Rules created by other humans (also once as innocent as a newborn), social constructs created by humans. In those early years, we know nothing but what our parents teach us. We believe blindly that the lessons and rules they teach us are fact, that there is no other reality. That anything else besides the reality we’ve been taught is “wrong”. But what is “wrong”? Take a second, think about it. What do you consider “wrong”? What do you consider “right”? Forget for a minute about everything your parents and your society taught you. What do you truly believe makes a good human?

An important thing to remember here is that there are thousands of interpretations of a “good person” in this world. A “good” being in one society can easily be seen as a “disgrace” in another. These societies are differentiated primarily by their cultural expectations - expectations created by mere humans, humans like you and me, humans that are just as easily influenced by others’ opinions as we can be. Even those humans that existed hundreds of years ago; as a world we have been progressing slowly over the years, attempting to learn from history and correct the mistakes of our ancestors, as well as building on their progress. But when it comes to judging others, when it comes to raising our kids, we often judge by the standards of our ancestors. Even as we preach greatness and success based on the modern world, we often judge and stigmatize others based on the rules set by these ancestors. And as discussed above, success and disgrace both can differ based on your particular culture, family background, gender, skin color, etc...The list of variations is endless. So what truly and universally makes a “good” human, and ultimately a happy human?

The U.S. is currently focused on doing everything it can to increase its GDP. In all honesty, the country may reach the current administration’s economic goals, and perhaps even surpass them. Great! But is it really? National GDP is rising but so are racism, corruption, violence, and suicide rates. This cannot be attributed simply to one man, but rather to a limited mindset. What is it that makes humans think economic success is the one-size-fits-all solution? According to the World Happiness Report, Norway topped the international happiness rankings for 2017. Norway and a select few other countries have consistently topped this list year after year -- they may not be richest countries, definitely not the poorest, but they seem to have found a great balance. Balance. That seems to be a word I’ve heard endlessly, in various different contexts. What does it mean in the context of a human?

To the surprise of many, success/excellence in academics, career, bank account balance, social status, does not necessarily make someone good. On one extreme, some parents define the “good” in their offspring by numbers -- the numbers that make up a GPA, the number of zeros at the end of their salary, etc - despite their lack of regard for other humans. On another extreme, other parents define a good child merely through the child’s contentedness - with little regard of other factors, sometimes spoiling them without allowing them to realize the value of true, independent, hard work.

In both contexts of global and personal “success”, what is the point of creating possessions if it is not increasing happiness? Where is the balance there? I speak about individual happiness here as the goal because I realize it is difficult for most to put the happiness of other humans first. As a world, we have become ego-centric beings, and if our own priorities are not met first, everything else seems to become irrelevant (unfortunately). I will be the first to admit I am far from a perfect being, but I have come to realize that my upbringing was not one that always emphasized the type of “good” that I now value as more crucial than the definition of good many of us Indians may be used to. It is not a reflection of just one set of parents or one state’s mindset, but simply a reflection on the “survival-of-the-fittest” attitude that our ancestors have ingrained in us. “Good” behavior became defined as personal behaviors that would push us to that ultimate pinnacle of success (not to be confused with happiness) - i.e. not lying to our parents, getting good grades, getting into a good college, getting a good GPA, being respectful to our elders, and of course, obtaining that lucrative career. These goals are fine, and needed in this world, but they are all part of ultimately

13 becoming financially secure. So what happens after you are financially secure? Is that it, is that all there is to life? I was taught not to lie to my parents (though of course I did, ahh to be a teenager..), but not specifically taught to be a more empathetic friend, a genuine volunteer to the community (not to be confused with logging in hours to impress colleges), or just a more caring person. Hinduism (as well as all other religions) emphasize these latter traits more than financial success, but selective perception has allowed our society to pick and choose/preach which attributes make young ones “better Indians”, “model children”, etc. As a result, I have seen and heard of many Indians believing themselves to be model sons, daughters, students, etc, while failing to be good humans. Take a second and think about Indians in power in the motherland. Politicians, business leaders, doctors, etc. They have most definitely achieved the level of success (social status and bank account wise) most Indian parents try to instill in their children. But here and there we’ll hear new stories about how this doctor cheated his patients for financial gain, how this politician accepted bribes, how this business leader behaves towards females, etc. Over and over again I notice this pattern of the most successful beings failing morally.

We as a culture seem to confuse morals with grades, obedience, and restrictions --rather than treatment of other humans. It makes us focus more on things like “Deepa’s son got some really bad grades this semester” or “Pooja’s daughter wore a bikini three years ago” (LOL) instead of looking around and seeing what we can learn from good things those around us are doing. Grades, clothing, youth activities, these are all norms that have different, subjective interpretations of “good/bad” depending on the culture/country. But the one universal constant that has gotten anyone anywhere is the purity of respect, love, and non-judgment of all humans. It is the only force that has truly moved mountains and pushed the world forward. India as a country idolizes Gandhiji (preacher of non-violence and lover of all religions/castes as we all know) and erects his statues in every state, but continues to isolate Muslims and lower castes. We ask our sons to tie Rakhis on their sisters and teach them that girls are to be respected, but our politicians say the length of a female’s skirt is to blame for assault? Our way of thinking as we know it is full of contradictions.

These contradictions are not a characteristic of only Indian societies, but exist around the world (GDP vs. human well-being is an everlasting example). But, self-improvement starts from within oneself and not by pointing fingers towards others. Take a few minutes to think about why you think the way you think. Is it what you truly feel, or is it a perspective passed on to you by your

14 elders? Not that our elders are to blame either, they are simply passing on what their parents taught them. But, it is 2017 and we have enough liberty to think for ourselves, to decide for ourselves what we truly believe is right and wrong. We may be loud and proud Indians, but we are also global citizens, all of the same species, all of the same planet. None of us are perfect, we are all flawed in some way or the others, but the great thing about humans is the capacity to empathize and change. Maybe it is time to figure out what balance truly is, what it truly means to be a “good” human, and not only pass that on to our kids, but to implement this in our everyday lives.

Upanayana : Sacred Thread Ceremony By: Diya Kar Out of the most complex cultures that exists in today's society, Indian culture tends to be known as the most diversified among all. India is an amalgamation of several cultures present throughout the country consisting of disparate languages, religions, dance, music, architectures, and customs. Being Indian, I’m extremely fortunate to take part in numerous Indian events celebration such as Holi, Diwali, Durga Puja, Ganesh Puja, Saraswati Puja and Janmashtmi hosted at different temples in Orange County every year, But first time I came across with a new type of cultural ritual that is called “Upanayana”, or “Brata Ghara”, or “Sacred Thread Ceremony” when last year our family went on a trip to India to attend my cousin’s Upanayana. At first, I pondered what's the occurrence that it was necessary to fly out to India for a thread ceremony, but soon I figured out Upanayana is much more than tying a minuscule thread around boy’s torso. It is an event or ritual to recognize a Brahmin boy’s stage into the era of formal education. It signifies the end of the childhood days. The event was not just for a period of two hours but took place over the course of two days. The thread ceremony consists of multiple yagyans & prayers and the boy does the fasting. The process of preparation is endless and several people get involved, when a young boy is bestowed with a thread to symbolize the maturity that he would carry through his education. It marks intellectual birth through teacher’s care. The typical boy’s age for a ceremony of this kind is from the age of 7-13. The boy becomes a responsible Brahmin at the end ceremony to carry socio- religious norms conduct. Having his shaved to a state for he is completely bald is not an embarrassment but a pride the Brahmin boy embraces with dignity and honor. In American heritage, life is not spiritual, but Indian culture carries the spirits of God throughout day to day life. UpanaYana was a great event to experience which will never be discarded from my memories.

Kardama and Devahuti

By: Yuvika(Richa) Satapathy

Sage Kardama was a great sage, who meditated for many years on the bank of the river; he prayed to the Lord for a superior and exquisite wife. Much to his surprise, after many years of meditating, Lord Vishnu appeared. He said, “I am pleased with your worship. Manu will come and give his beautiful daughter in marriage to you. You will have nine daughters and one son who will be none other than Me. You will spend the rest of your life meditating on Me.”

Devahuti, was Manu’s exquisite and fine daughter, and was a very well-mannered girl. Both of her parents traveled through many lands to find a worthy husband for her. They came upon a beautiful ashram that was along the banks of river Saraswati. Inside the ashram, they met Kardama, whose face glowed with learning and wisdom. When Manu met him inside the ashram, Manu said, “I have come to offer you my daughter in marriage. So far, you are the best match for her beauty and character. Please accept her as your wife.” Devahuti and Kardama slowly started to like each other, so the two got married!

Devahuti and Kardama were happy parents of nine daughters who were all beautiful and showed good character. But, Devahuti longed for a son, so she prayed to the Lord day and night to make herself “worthy enough” to receive the Him as her son. After a long time, the Lord entered her womb. At the time of their sons’ birth, all the devas showered flowers from heaven. Kardama and Devahuti’s heavenly son was named Kapila. Soon, all of their nine daughters got married and with Kapila’s permission, and Kardama left to become a monk.

Since Kapila was a great teacher and sage, Devahuti asked Kapila how one can free themselves from the amazing cycle of life(birth and death). Kapila wisely replied by saying, “Only they can be free who love God as much as they love themselves, as tenderly as they love their own children, who trust Him as a friend, respect Him as a teacher, and above all who worship Him with complete devotion.” He continued by saying, “Those who pray to God with anger, jealousy, and hatred in their hearts, pray with tamasic devotion and have a tamasic nature. Those who pray to Him for money and other material things, pray with rajasic devotion and have a rajasic nature. But,

16 those who pray to Him with a lot of love, not asking for anything, pray with sattvic devotion, and have a sattvic devotion. This is the highest kind of devotion.”

“Remember, to purify the heart, you must follow these rules of life:

1. You must perform the duties of life. To work is to worship. 2. You must see GOd in all creatures, be friendly to everyone, and kind to the poor and helpless. 3. You must be polite, devoted, and be self-controlled, You also must listen to and chant the Lord’s name.” Devahuti followed every single of her son’s advice, and soon uncovered the Lord in her. Kapila left to the Himalayas, and still meditates for the good of the world. We all can learn that we need to pray with sattvic devotion, have a sattvic nature, purify our hearts; and that if we follow Kapila’s teachings honestly, we can also become better and purify ourselves and other human beings. ॐ

The Festival of Ratha Yatra By: Sidharth Maharana

The origin of the Ratha Yatra festival is that Kansa, Krishna and Balram’s maternal uncle, tried to kill them by inviting them to Mathura. Kansa then sends Akrur with a chariot to Gokul to retrieve Krishna and Balram. Then, both of them sit on the chariot and leave for Mathura. Devotees celebrate this day of departure as Ratha Yatra. Ratha Yatra, also known as the “chariot festival” is made up of two Odia words. In the Odia language, Ratha means “chariot,” and Yatra means “journey.” If you put them both together it says “chariot journey." The grand and festive Ratha Yatra comes only once a year. In our Odia community, we celebrate by having stalls where you can buy snacks, eat delicious food, and play fun games. But that isn’t the reason WE celebrate this festival. In Odisha, devotees from all over the world come to Puri to celebrate. The rathas in Puri are approximately 45 feet high (14 meters) and are pulled by thousands of pilgrims that turn up for the event. Each and every year, the chariot is rebuilt anew only with a particular type of tree. This event is so grand that it is broadcast live on Indian and foreign TV channels. The three chariots in Puri are made from wood from specified trees like phassi, dhausa, etc. The rathas are made by a specialist team of carpenters. That is the festival of Ratha Yatra in our Odia Community and in Puri. JAI JAGANNATH!!!

Painting by: Priyasha

ମାଇକିନା ବୁଦ୍ଧିଶେ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଖିଆ

Palli Pritipuspa

ଶମା ପିଲାଟି ଦିନେୁ , ଓଡିଆଶେ ଶଗାଶଟ ଶଲାକକଥା ୁଣି ଆସିଛି "ମାଇକିନା ବୁଦ୍ଧିଶେ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଖିଆ"

ଶକଶବ ଶମା ବାପା, ଶବାଉକୁ ଚିଶଡଇବାକୁ କହୁଥିଶଲ, ଓ ଆଉଶକଶବ ଆଉକାହାକୁ, ସ୍ତ୍ରୀ ମାନଙ୍କୁ

ଚିଶଡଇବାକୁ ଏମିତି କହିବାେ ୁଣିଛି | ଶମାଟା ଶମାଟି ଏ ସୁେ ଟିପ୍ପଣୀେ ଉଶଦ ୟ ଶହଲା, ନାେୀ ମାନଙ୍କ

ବୁଦ୍ଧିଶେ ଚାଲିବ କଥା ନୁଶହ | େଁ ଆଉ ନାେୀ ମାନଙ୍କ କଥା ୁଣିଶଲ ମଣିଷ ତ ମଣିଷ, ଭଗବାନ ବି ଅଧା ଖିଆ

ଶହାଇ େହିଯାଆନ୍ତି |

ଶଯଶବ ମ େଁୁ ଶଛାଟ ଥିଲି, ଏକଥା ୁଣି ଭାବୁଥିଲି, ଆଶେ ବାାଃ ... ଶଗାଶଟ ନାେୀେ କଣ ଏଶତ କ୍ତି ? ତା

କଥାଶେ ଭଗବାନବି ଅଧା ଗଢା ଶହାଇଯାନ୍ତି? ଆଉ ପୁେୁଷ ମାଶନ କଣ ଏଶତ ଶବାକା, ଏସବୁ ଚୁପଚାପ େହି

ଶଦଖିଶଲ ? ମଶନ ମଶନ ଭାଶବ... ଆଉ ମଶନ ମଶନ ହସି ଦିଏ ..

ଶଯଶବ ଧୀଶେ ଧୀଶେ ବଡ ଶହଲି, ବୟସ ବଢିବା ସାଶଥ ମନବି ବିଶରାହୀ ଶହଲା | କଣ ପାଇ େଁସବୁ ଶଦାଷ

ଶଗାଶଟ ନାେୀ ମୁଶେ ଲଦି ଦିଆଯାଏ ?

ବହୁତ ସହେଶେ ଆଶମ କହିଶଦଉ ସବୁ େ ମୂଳ ଶେ ନାେୀ | ଶକୈଶକଇ ବେ ମାଗି ୋମଙ୍କୁ ୧୪ ବଷଷ ବନ ବାସ

ପଠାଇଶଲ | ଶସଥି ପାଇ େଁ ସୀତା, ସୁନା ହେିଣକୁ ପାଇବାକୁ ଶଲାଭ କେିବାେୁ ୋବଣ ତାକୁ ହେଣ କଲା |

ଆଉ ଶରୌପଦୀଙ୍କ ପାଇ, େଁ ଭାଇ ଭାଇ ଭିତଶେ ଯୁଧ୍ୟ ଲାଗି ମହାଭାେତ ଶହାଇଗଲା |

ଭାଗବତ ଗୀତାଶେ ସ୍ୱୟଂ ଶ୍ରୀକୃଷ୍ଣ କହିଛନ୍ତି, ଯୁଶଗ ଯୁଶଗ ଧମଷେ ସ୍ଥାପନ ପାଇ େଁଶସ ଅବତାେ ଶନଇ ଅଧମଷେ

ବିନା କେନ୍ତି |

ମନକୁ ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ଆଶସ ଯଦି ଶ୍ରୀୋମ ବଣକୁ ଯାଇ ନଥାଶନ୍ତ କିମ୍ବା ୋବଣ ସୀତାଙ୍କୁ ହେଣ କେିନଥାନ୍ତା, ଶତଶବ

ପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀୋମ ଶକଉ େଁକାେଣ ଦ ଷାଇ ୋକ୍ଷସ ମାନଙ୍କୁ ତଥା ୋଵଣଙ୍କୁ ବିନା କେିଥାଶନ୍ତ ? ଶଯଉ େଁକାଯଷୟ ଲାଗି

ଶସ ଧାୋଶେ ଅବତାେ ଶନଇଥିଶଲ, ଶକମିତି ପୁୋ ଶହାଇଥାନ୍ତା |

ପ୍ରଶ୍ନ ଆଶସ, ଯଦି ମହାଭାେତ ଯୁଧ୍ୟ ଶହାଇନଥାନ୍ତା ଅଧମଷେ ବିନା ଆଉ ଧମଷେ ସ୍ଥାପନା ଶକମିତି ଶହାଇଥାନ୍ତା ?

ସବୁ କାମେ ଶ ୟତା ଆଶମ ଭଗବାନଙ୍କୁ ଶଦଉ | ଶତଶବ ତାେ କାେଣ ସବୁକୁ ଶକଶତ ସହେଶେ ଶଦାଷ

କେି ଆଶମ ଶଗାଶଟ ନାେୀ ଉପଶେ ଲଦି ଶଦଉ |

କଥାଶେ ଅଛି, "କେି କୋଉ ଥାଇ ମୁହି, େଁ ଶମା ବିନୁ ଅନୟ ଗତି ନାହି " େଁ

ସବୁ କିଛି, ଶସ ବିଶ୍ଵନିୟନ୍ତାଙ୍କ ଶଖଳ, ତାଙ୍କେି କାହାଣୀ .. ତାଙ୍କ ନିଶଦଷ ନାଶେ ଚାଶଲ | ଭଲ ଚେିତ୍ର ଟିଏ ପାଇ େଁ

ଶକହିବି ଆଶଗଇ ଆସନ୍ତି | ଶହଶଲ ସବୁ ଯନ୍ତ୍ରଣା, ଅପନିା, ଅପବାଦ ସହିବି ଯିଏ ଶସହି ପେଶମଶ୍ଵେଙ୍କ

ମହାନ ଉଶଦୟ ସଫଳ କେିବାକୁ ନିେକୁ ହସି ହସି ଉତ୍ସଗଷ କେିଦିଏ, ଶସ ଶକବଳ େଶଣ ସବଷାଂସହା ନାେୀ ହି େଁ ଶହାଇ ପଶେ |

ଆଶମ ମଶନ ସମଶେ ୋଣିଶଛ, ଶଯଶତଶବଶଳ ସମେ ବଶେଇ ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କ ଦାେୁକୁ ମୂତିଶେ େୂପ ଶଦବାକୁ ଅସମଥଷ େହିଶଲ ସ୍ୱୟଂ ପ୍ରଭୁ ବିଶ୍ଵକମଷା ଶବ ଶେ ନିେକୁନିଶେ ଗେିଥିଶଲ | ୨୧ ଦିନଶେ ମୂତିେ କାଯଷୟ ସମ୍ପୂଣଷ ଶହବାକଥା, ଶହଶଲ ୋଣୀ ଗୁିଚାଙ୍କ କଥାଶେ ୧୮ ଦିନେୁ କାମ ବ ଶହଲା | ଶସଥିଲାଗି ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କେ

ଏହି ଅଧା ଗଢା େୂପ |

ଶହଶଲ ଆପଣ ମାଶନ ବିଚାେ କେନ୍ତୁ, କଣ ଶ୍ରୀ େଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କୁ ଶଦଖିଶଲ ଶକଶବ ମନଶେ ଅପୂର୍ଣ୍ଷତାେ ଆଭାସ ଆଶସ ? ଶସ ତ ପୂଣଷବ୍ରହ୍ନ | ନା ଶକଶବ ଏମିତି ଲାଶଗ, ଆଉ ତିନି ଦିନଶେ ତାହା ଏକ ପୁଣଷ ଅବୟବ ଶଦବ

ପ୍ରତିମୁତି ଶହାଇ ପାେି ଥାଶନ୍ତ ? ମୂର୍ତ୍ତିେ ଗଠନଶ ୈଳୀ େୁ ତ ଏମିତି ଲାଶଗନି |

ବେଂ ମ େଁୁ ଭାଶବ, ଧନୟ ଶସ ନାେୀ, ଯିଏ ଏ ଦାେୁେ ସୀମିତ ଅବୟବ ଭିତଶେ ଅସୀମ େୂପେ ପେିକଳ୍ପନା କେି ପାେିଶଲ |

ହାତ ନାହି େଁଶସ .. ଅନନ୍ତ ହେ, ପାଦ ନାହି େଁ.. ଶହଶଲ ଶସ ଅନନ୍ତ ପାଦ, ସୂଯଷୟ, ଚନ୍ଦ୍ରଙ୍କ ପାେି ଦୁଇଟି ଶନତ୍ର, ଅପଲକ ନୟନଶେ ଶସ ବ୍ରହ୍ମା କୁ ଶଦଖୁଛନ୍ତି | ୟା ଠୁ ବଳି ଆଉ କଣ ପେି ପ୍ରକା ଶହାଇ ପାେିଥାନ୍ତା, ଶସ ବିଶ୍ଵେୂପଙ୍କେ ?

ନାେୀ, ଶସ ମା .. ଶସ େନନୀ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କାେିଣୀ .. ସ୍ୱୟଂ ଭଗବାନ ବି ଧୋକୁ ଆସିଶଲ, ଶସଇ ମା େ େଠେଶେ ସ୍ଥାନ ଟିଶକ ଶଖାେନ୍ତି |

ଆଉ ଶସଇ ମାହି େଁ ତ, ମାଉସୀ ମା ଗୁିଚା ଶହାଇ ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କୁ ଏ େୂପ ଶଦଇଛନ୍ତି | ଭକ୍ତ ଲାଗି ଶସ ଭଗବାନ ... ଶସଇ ମାଉସୀ ମା ପାଶଖ ତାଙ୍କ ଅଲିଅଳୀ ପୁଅ ଶସ ଯାହା ହାତ େନ୍ଧା ଶପାଡା ପିଠା ଖାଇବାକୁ, ପ୍ରତିବଷଷ େଥଯାତ୍ରାଶେ ଧାଇ େଁ ଆସନ୍ତି | ଶତଣୁ ଆପଣ ମାଶନ ବିଚାେ କେିଶବ ସତଶେ କଣ "ମାଇକିନିଆ ବୁଦ୍ଧିଶେ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଖିଆ" ??

େଥ ଶେ ଶଦଖିଲା ପଶେ

ଶେହ ମହାନ୍ତି (ଡଲି)

ଶସ ଦିନ ତୁମେ କଳାଶ୍ରୀ ବଦନ ଶଦଖି

ମଶନ ଶହଲା କିବା ଓହ୍ଲାଇ ଆସିଛ ଭଶବ,

ଶଦଖିବାକୁ ଏଇ ମାୟା ଶେୋ ମେୀଚିକା

ମାନବ େୀବନ, ତୁମ କେୁଣା େୁ ଲଶଭ (୧)

ବଡଦାଶ ଶ ାଭା ତୁମେି ପ୍ର ାନ୍ତ େୂପ

ପହିଶେ ପୁଣି ଲୁଚିଯାଅ ବାେ ବାେ,

ଆଖିଶେ ପଶଡନି ପଲକ ଶଦଖିଶଲ ଥଶେ

ସତୟେ ତୁଶମ, ଠାକୁେ ଶହ ମାନୟବେ (୨)

ଢଳ ଢଳ ଶଡାଳା, କି ସୁେ ମନଶଲାଭା

ଭୁଲି ମୁ ପାେୁନି, େଥାେୁେ ତୁମ େୂପ

ଦାେୁ ବ୍ରହ୍ମ ତୁଶମ, ଅବତେି ଏ େଗଶତ,

ମ ନିମିର୍ତ୍ତ େଁୁ ମାତ୍ର, ଅେଣା ଅଛିକି ସଶତ (୩)

ଅଧମ ମ ହାୟ େଁୁ , ତୁମ ପଶଦ ଆଶ୍ରା ଶମାେ

ଆଶଲାକିତ କେ ପଙ୍କିଳ ଏ େꍍମ ଥଶେ,

କମଳ ଟି ପେି ପଙ୍କିଳ ଶଦହୁ ମ େଶꍍମ େଁୁ

ତୁମ ଶ୍ରୀ ଚେଣ ଶସବାଶେ ଲାଶଗ ମ ବାଶେ େଁୁ (୪)

Story of Sati

By: Ritvik(Rishi) Satapathy

There once was a couple whose names were Prasuti and Daksha. Sati was one of their daug hters, and she married Shiva. When Daksha decided to perform a huge puja; and entered the hall, everyone stood up in respect, except two people.

Those two people were Brahma (his father) and his son-in-law Shiva. Shiva continued to sit down with no words. Daksha was very mad. He said to Shiva, “You are a shameless person! I know you are jealous of my wealth and kingdom. I have given you my daughter in marriage and yet you show me no respect. From now on you shall never take part in any of my pujas. This should teach you a lesson.” Shiva continued to be quiet. One of his followers cursed Daksha. Then the followers and Shiva left the hall. Daksha decided to have another puja later on. He invited all the Gods and Goddesses, except for Shiva and Sati. Sati thought that Daksha forgot to invite them, so she went to the puja; but Shiva didn’t want to go. When Sati found out that there was no offering kept for Shiva; she wore yellow silk, and faced north while sitting in a yoga pose. She shut her eyes and focused on the air and fire elements in her mind. Suddenly, Sati’s body caught on fire and turned into ashes. Sati’s dad, Daksha, was sorry for what he did. Shiva angrily ripped out a part of his hair and threw it on the ground. Virabhadra, who was very tall, and hard dark eyes flaming, came from the lock of hair. He had thousand hands and in all of them he was holding weapons. Shiva ordered him to destroy the ceremony. After he destroyed the puja, and cut off the Daksha’s head, Shiva let devas have their life back and let Daksha have the head of a goat. The GODS thanked him, and invited him to the ceremony. Sati was reincarnated as Parvati, and after meditating a lot, she got married to Shiva.

Painting by: Rohit Bishnoyi

The Divine Touch By: Ashok and Nina Jena

It was in the month of March or April time in the year 2017, we found the paint from Lord Jagannath was falling off. We asked for help, but it was hard to find a painter in the US who was devotional enough to perform the paintwork. Our community people suggested to bring the artist from Odissa and do the paint repair work. It was not practical for the JSC to execute because of the budget, time, and accommodation constraints. We are a very small team and wondering day and night how to do it. Mr Visha Tiwari, the Mandir owner, has told Nina Jena about a painter named Anjani who lives close to the Mandir. We had to call her to get an appointment to look at the current condition of the paint on the deity Lord Jagannath. She came on a Puja day in April and looked at the paint falling off from the body of the deity. She is from Uttar Pradesh, India, and has lived in the USA for the past 20 years. But she had never seen Lord Jagannath prior to this and was a bit nervous to commit herself to the painting task. On May 10 she called and told Nina that she would do it, but we needed to buy all organic paints for her to do the work. She is a sculpture and has been teaching art in a school in Irvine school district, living 10 minutes away from the Mandir. We gave her a check to purchase all the colors and start the process of painting during her school vacation.

In the Mandir we had no quite place to do the painting work, so she was asking to take the Lord Jagannath to her house on June 10th after Deba Snana Purnima, the day Lord Jagannath takes shower and goes to a quiet room to sleep for 15 days. We had to find a clean empty room to take the Lord Jagannath to sleep. The clean room arrangement had happened on the 4th of June after some discussion with the Mandir owner Mr. Tiwari. Just after the arrangement was made, Anjani Ji, the artist, called and let us know that her home would not be quiet enough to take Lord Jagannath. Meanwhile, the artist has read lots of articles about the Lord Jagannath and has convinced herself to do the painting repair work at the Mandir. She said she did not want to separate Lord Jagannath from His brother and sister while they were sleeping together in one room. It is amazing to know at that point that the artist is a vegetarian. Now we felt that the artist was not picked by us, but by Lord Jagannath to do the paintwork, we were merely the coordinators.

On 10th of June we met with Anjani Ji at the Mandir and arranged a clean table, bright lights, and a fan in the Anasar Gruha ( the place Lord Jagannath was sleeping with His brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra), and placed Lord Jagannath for painting. The painter was amazed by our arrangement. She was sure she could not get a quiet place like that, if she has been taking God to her house. In addition, God would not be willing to leave, His brother and sister alone-all His MAYA-illusion. We handed over her a key for the room and arranged with the priest to give her access to the room to do the work.

On 12th of June, the artist came to paint Lord Jagannath by 10 AM in the morning. It was a Monday morning, I was working from home. The artist called Nina and sent a picture of Lord Jagannath after taking off the body colors. She explained, if we would allow, she would like to paint the entire idol. Otherwise, it would look like a patchwork. She had never seen Lord Jagannath from the inception and now half the color was off of the body. She was asking if we had the picture of the original idol without clothing. It was a question for Nina, where she found this? She discussed with me .Then I texted Raja who brought Lord Jagannatha from Odissa. Raja was in India at that time, so I did not get any answer at that moment (10:30 AM Pacific Time and 11PM night in Odissa).We did not get any response. Nina searched the JAGASOCAL website and on JAGASOCAL Facebook. Nina found a picture on JAGASOCAL Facebook, which one Raja took in odissa before packaging the Gods for the shipment to send USA. We send that picture to Anjani Ji through WhatsApp- what a great timely connection happening at that moment when God wanted to be repainted by Anjani Ji. With devotion and tears came in our eyes. Anjani Ji was very happy to get all these information within less than 30 minutes.

Just after taking off the colors of the face and body of the Lord Jagannath she called us, where should she through all those old color covers? I said we would keep and put it into the ocean. After an hour around 12:00PM, Anjani Ji called Nina and explained about a miracle happened to her. She was very nervous. Her mind and heart were not connecting right. She was thinking if she had taken up the right task to do. Painting an idol to its original form after 5 years without

26 seeing the God before is not that easy. It was a challenge to give the idol the right look and gesture.

At that moment, a 4 or 5-year-old child came to the door where Anjani Ji was doing her paintwork. The kid was asking Anjani Ji if he could get into the room in Hindi ( क्या मℂ अंदर आ सकता हँ?). Anjani Ji came out and looked for the kid's parent. The mother of the kid said, his son was looking for three big idols after coming to the temple, and went to the door and waiting to get in. The kid was dark brown in color and had curly long hair. The kid held Anjani Ji's hand and got into the room where all the colors were on the table. The moment the kid hold, Anjani Ji's hand, she had a different feeling. All her worries vanished away and her heart became calm and quiet. Touching the dry colors on the table top the kid asked only two questions: 1. Can you do the painting? (In Hindi: आप क्या बना पाएंगे?) 2. When can you finish it? (In Hindi: कब तक बना पाएंगे?) Anjani Ji replied when it would be complete and I would show you. (In Hindi: मℂ पूरा होने के बाद आपको ददखाऊंगी). Now the kid asked where the other two Gods were. (In Hindi: दो अन्य भागबान कहा पे?) Anjani Ji replied that other two gods were sleeping on the bed. The little kid went to lift the screen and had a look at the two idols sleeping. Then the kid left the room without asking anything to Anjani Ji. It was amazing that the kid had very specific questions to ask, and not more or less. After Anjani Ji did finishing her work for the day, she looked around the kid or his mother to collect the phone number. She did not find them, so asked the temple priest if they knew about her. The priest said he had not seen any kid of that type around. This made Anjani Ji believe that the Bal Gopal (baby Gopal, Krishna) came with his mother Yosada to encourage her to give confidence to her, that she could do it.

Anjani Ji was inspired and was motivated to do the painting work. She did work hard to complete the work within 7 days, knowing the God needed to be awake by Netro Ustava day, 23rd June. She almost spent 4 to 5 hours average and last few days worked from 10

27 or 11AM until 4:30 to 5:00 PM. She finished the entire paint and artwork required for the idol by 19th of June. Exactly within 7 days. While working with the God she could lift the God in one hand while painting in the other hand, which is generally, takes at least two people to lift the God. All these were possible for God’s mercy. She said, she could not sleep in the night until finishing the idol painting completely. The God was on her mind all the time and she did all the artwork with single touch only. She has maintained all the rituals needed before painting and during painting of Lord Jagannath. She is grateful to Lord Jagannath... as He has chosen her and inspired her to get the paintwork done. େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ

How is Odissi related to Lord Jagannath By: Idhika Padhi

Do you know anything about how Odissi is related to Lord Jagannath? Lord Jagannath meaning “Lord Of universe” is the god worshipped by me, you and many people in the world. Also Odissi is a cultural folk dance that is related to Lord Jagannath in many ways. Odissi is expressed by religious stories. Particularly of the stories that include Vaishnavism (a major tradition in Hinduism in which Lord Vishnu and his dasa(10) avataras is worshiped). One of the stories that include Vaishnavism is Gita Govinda. Gita Govinda is a story about Lord Krishna and the relationship between the gopis. (Lord Jagannath is an avatar of Lord Krishna). Gita Govinda can also be Performed in Odissi. At the beginning of every Odissi dance, Lord Jagannath is worshiped by performing Namami. Namami is where dancers worship gods and goddesses to pray for a good performance. One other popular theme in Odissi is Kanchi Vijaya. This dance is performed to tell a story of Lord Jagannath and his brother Balabhadra coming out of the Puri temple and to help the King of Puri. All of the above stories that include Lord Jagannath have a major impact on Odissi dance. Have a Happy Rath Yatra.

Painting by: Swayam Pati

Science and religion: a relationship of conflict or harmony?

By: Trilochan Sahoo, MD

The relationship between religion and science has, for many decades, evoked the interest of philosophers, theologians, scientists and scholars from diverse arenas. The debate about the nature of this relationship has been longstanding and continues today. The questions and answers have been colored and influenced by culture, geography and regional history. In the present time, it is particularly important to have a systematic reflection on the role of each of these two institutions on bringing out the best in a society. It may be surprising to note that the concepts of “science” and “religion” are relatively recent creations, between the 17th to 19th centuries. Their meanings have been changing and subject to ambiguity. By definition, religion concerns the natural and the supernatural, faith, orthodoxy and sacredness; science is the study of nature by reasoning, experimentation and empirical evidence, often influenced or stimulated by a modest dose of rationalism and skepticism. Religion, as a dogma, did not have a place in ancient Islamic, Christian or Hindu scriptures, and early science was cultivated and spread by religious clergy. “Dharma” more accurately means law or duty, rather than religion. Therefore, it would be prudent to suggest that these two concepts started off as quite compatible and conducive to each other. It is likely true that a century or two ago, it was religion that established the structure and framework for scientific study of nature to proceed unimpeded.

So what has forsaken this relationship in recent times such that the divergence and rejection of compatibility between science and religion is so stark? It is a question with no simple answers, whether the issue is the battle between creationism and Darwinian evolution or the hijacking of one religion to establish its superiority over all others (Islamic fundamentalism), or attributing climate change to supernatural powers. It is increasingly becoming clearer that those who study nature (aka scientists), without the influence of the unnatural or supernatural, are more likely to accept science and religion as friends rather than foes. However, the same cannot be said of the religious, who believe that the origin, nature and laws that govern humanity and the universe are based upon faith and belief. This has led to the masses of uninformed to be led by a few religious leaders towards a path that does not see equitable prosperity, well-being or justice for all mankind. This remarkable contrast, in the present time, between what science and what religion aims to achieve has made a

31 caricature of both. It is true that science often aims to answer metaphysical questions (e.g. origin of the universe) and that is helped minimally by religious faith, particularly when the answers are not easy to come by. As someone who has devoted decades to study and understand the causes and cures for human disease, my personal faith lies in empirical questions, experimental evidence and reasoning for all questions, be it regarding god or nature.

Lord Jagannatha, the Lord of Universe His Traditions, Culture, Philosophy and Antiquities By Saroj Kumar Mohapatra

Puri in Odisha, has gained world-wide popularity all through the ages for the sacred shrine of Lord Jagannatha, who is the presiding deity of the main temple. The puranas eulogize this place as Nilachala, Srikshetra, Purusottama-kshetra and Samkha Kshetra. The Srikshetra is one of the greatest centers of Vaishanva worship and forms one of the four sacred pithas of India, the others being Badrinath, Ramesvara and Dvaraka.

The construction of the present Jagannatha temple at Puri has generally been attributed to the Ganga monarch, Anantavarmana Chodagangadeva in the first quarter of the 12th century. However, Purusottama worship existed prior to that- though not many ideas could be formed about the early history and character of the system of worship. Sayana in the 14th century and following him, Raghunandana in the 16th century, seem to have suggested the antiquity of Purusottama worship in the Rig Vedic period. Both literary and epigraphic evidence on the other hand proves the reputation of modern Puri as the holy site of Purusottama long before 12th century.

The Vishnudharmottara mentions that Krishna was worshiped as Purusottama in the Odra country. The Vamana purana mentions the tirtha of Purusottama in connection with the pilgrimage of Prahlada. the Prabhoda chandra daya of Krishna Mishra mentions the devayatana of Purusottama in the Utkal country. Murari in is Anargha Raghava Natika refers to the Yatra of Purusottama. Brahaspatya Arthasastra mentions as a famous Vaishnava tirtha of India. In Odishan inscriptions the earliest mention of Purusottama occurs in the two inscriptions of Chodaganagdeva from Puri on Narashima temple and Markandesvara temple, but, important inscriptional evidence of earlier date

32 comes from outside Odisha, An inscriptions from Haihar (10th century A.D.) in Satara district of Madhya Pradesh mentions Purusottama in the Odra Country on the shore of the ocean. The Govindapur inscription from Gaya district, Bihar, dated in 1137 A. D. mentions that poet Gangadhara's father Manoratha visited Purussotama. The Edilpur grant of Keshava sena reveals that Lakshamana Sena of Bengal (A. D. 1197-1206) erected a lofty sacrificial post at the seat of Musaladhara (Balabhdra) and Gadapani (Krishna) on the shore of the southern sea. It is thus evident that Purossatama worship was popular even before the construction of the magnificent temple by Anantavarman Chodaganagadeva.

A puranic version informs that on one occasion Brahma felt very much distressed at not having provided in his creation sufficient means for the redemption of created beings, and besought the aid of Narayana for a method of salvation. The request, however, was not accepted, as it would have disturbed the harmony of the creation; it was pointed out that those who were really earnest about salvation could easily obtain it by dwelling in the secret abode of the divinity on the sea-shore. In praise thereof the Lord said, "On the northern shore of the sea, to the south of the Mahanadi River, there is my favorite abode. Alone it can confer all the blessings which are desirable from all the other sacred places on the Earth put together ".

In such a sacred background, the Jagannatha temple complex was built up by the rulers of the famous Ganga dynasty at Puri, and continued up to the present with minor additions and alterations. The main temple of Jagganatha enshrines the images Jagannatha, Balabhadra, and Subhadra within its garbhagriha.

To the students of comparative religion, the cult of Jagannatha has become a subject of fascinating study. Like religion and philosophy, the Jagannatha cult is a splendid synthesis of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainaism and Tantric rites. The various colors of the gods and goddesses of the cult are linked with different groups of mankind. Jagganatha has also been looked upon as Krishna, Rama, Buddha, Adinatha, Narayana, all in one. He has also been associated with Mahayana Buddhism's Sunnya and Brahma of Advaita Vedanta. Scholars have sought to trace his evolution from saivite lingam of blue stone to a Brahmanic trinity through symbolic representation of the three Buddhistic jewels (Triratna) namely, Buddha, Dhamma and Samgha. In the backdrop of numerous legends,

33 traditions, myths and folktales, the religion and philosophy associated with the cult of Jagganatha appears to have been inextricably mixed.

The car festival associated with Jagannatha still remains the most celebrated Hindu festivals in India. Its origin is probably coeval with the rise of the cult of Jagannatha. The Ksetra Mahatmyas and simple stories about the grace of the Lord and his concern for devotees had irresistible appeal for them to come to Puri for the darshan of the Lord of the universe "to witness his auspicious car festival and at times to die in the sacred city being lulled to their last sleep by the roar of the eternal ocean", Many poets of Odisha have composed devotional songs basing their theme on Lord Jagannatha and Ratha yatra. The Brahma purana (12th Century) purusottama mahatmya of the Skanda purana (13th-14th Century), jivetattva of Raghunandan (16th century), Niladri Mahodaya (18th Century), Bamadeva Samhita etc. offer interesting insights into the rituals of the car festival and its religious significance.

As the car festival became famous, several writers composed works in Odia, Sanskrit and Hindi on the theme of the car festival. Among such works, mention may be made of Basantotsava kavyam of Haladhara Mishra (17th Century). Gundica Campu of Bakravak Chakrapani Pattanayak, Gundicotsava varnanam of Bhagavata Brahma, and Gundica Vije of the 18th Century by poet Brajanath Badajena. Pandit Narahari composed a commentary on the Meghadutam of Kalidasa entitled Brahma Prakasika Tika in which he interpreted the text in the context of the car festival of Jagannath. In the Ganga Vamsanucaritam by Vasudeva Ratha (18th Century) an interesting description of the car festival is provided. The Odia poet philosophers of mediveal Odisha, including Salabega, a Muslim devotee, have expressed through poetry their poignant visions of Jagannatha and the glory of the car festival.

The temple of Jagannatha along with its enshrined deities maintain certain great traditions. The images are made out of the sacred neem tree, and these trees are carefully selected in the years

34 when there is a renewal of the images or Navakalebara. The wooden images are reminiscent of their probable primitive origin.

During the time of car festival, the three deities along with Sudarshana leave their secluded place within the temple and are driven in three separate chariots to the Gundicha temple through the Badadanda. Millions of devotees drag the chariots with great devotion and have a chance to view the deities in open. The car festival symbolizes the ritual system in which the all-powerful Gajapati king sweeps the area in front of the chariots before the swirling multitudes. The various kinds of foods that are prepared in the massive kitchen of the temple complex are considered to be Mahaprasada (most sacred) among the devotees. Devotees irrespective of cast distinctions partake the Mahaprasada within the temple premises and carry home to distribute among fellow brethren and utilize for ceremonial purposes.

The presiding deity of the temple is considered as Bada Thakura (the Great Lord), the temple, Bada Deula (the Great shrine) and the road from the temple to the Gundichaghara, the Badadanda (the great road) among the masses.

Through the ages in Odisha, Lord Jagannatha has been symbolized as the epitome of the people's pride, prestige and the sole refuge. A new philosophy, a pattern of thought and culture which have developed in this country, have made Jagannatha the central figure. This has given rise to many legends and traditions. The rulers of Odisha also have dedicated their wealth in honor of the Lord Jagannatha. This Jagannatha consciousness has permeated into every stratum of the socio-cultural life of Odisha.

(Notes furnished in this article mostly adapted from the works of R. P. Mohapatra. Readers advised to refer to his works for further details).

References:

Mohapatra Ramesh Prasad (Mohapatra R. P. , Archaeology in Orissa, 2 Volumes, Delhi, 1986

Mohapatra Ramesh Prasad (Mohapatra R. P. , Temple Legends of Orissa, Odisha Sahitya Akademi, Bhubaneswar, 1990

ତବ ପାଦ ତଶଳ

(ରୋଗ ଦରବୋରୀ, ତୋେ ରୂପକ)

ତବ ପୋଦ ତମେ ଥୋଉ ମ ୋର ନ

ତବ ନୋ ମନଇ ଯୋଉ ଏ ଜୀବନ (୦)

ଶୟମନ ସ୍ପବ ମନ ଅବୋ ଜୋଗରମଣ

ତବ ମପ୍ର ରୂପ ଥୋଉ ମ ୋର ଧ୍ୟୋମନ

ମ ୋ ସୁମର ତୁ ରି ଗୋଇବି ଭଜନ (୧)

ଯଦି ମକମବ ୁହି ଯୋଏ ଁ ପଥ ହୁଡି

ମତୋେି ନିଅ ମ ୋମତ ଢୋେି ମପ୍ର ବୋରି

ତୁମ ମ ୋ ନିଶ୍ୱୋସ ତୁମ ମ ୋର ପ୍ରୋଣ (୨)

ଅପୋର କରୁଣୋ ପୋଇ ଁୁ ତୁ ରି

ଭୋବି ି ମହ ପ୍ରଭୁ ମହବି ଭବୁ ପୋରି

ତୁମ ମ ୋର ଶକ୍ତି ମ ୋ ହୃଦ ସ୍ପନ୍ଦନ (୩)

ମଦବ ପ୍ରସୋଦ ହୋପୋତ୍ର

Long Beach, California

A Simple World

by: Suvam Nayak

If you ask children, why they hold open doors with a smile

They will have a million different answers for you

What you would hear most is that they liked the way people smiled at them

To feel like the center of the universe for just a few simple seconds

Most people just want that feeling again

Maybe don’t care about the opinions of others

Maybe you wish that life was as simple as that

Either way, we can agree that life was much simpler then

That’s the price of growing up

To live in a world that’s too complicated

Complicated is war and hate

The funny thing is that all children want is to grow up

While all adults want to be a part of a world much simpler like the ones they had as kids

Sometimes we want things more, knowing that we can’t have them

All we can hope from everyday life is the smile of kind stranger and the love of life

Sometimes kindness is not enough and we resort to pointing out mistakes in life

To blame it on our fellow neighbor

Resent their existence

All the while trying to make them rue the day they were born

And in the end, the streets run red

The attraction of anger and fighting can only sedate oneself for so long

Through this whole conflict, we take life’s greatest beauty

Love… The one thing that can stop a war without any bloodshed The reason why the world hasn’t burned yet To burn one on the stake is to take away their gift The ability to love As I said, people are complicated To justify the actions of a man that has killed many in the name of god Is to conclude that the man has loved his god too much with hate for everything else “Does he deserve a life?” The question asked by the common man. The decision of the common man determines the destruction of a complicated world which is the man’s life The common man needs to consider whether the man in question is more trouble than he’s worth What he does not know is that the decision he must make is bigger than he can know If decided that the man in question does not deserve a life The common man signs off on stealing a life’s possibilities He steals the man’s ability to breath in fresh air The ability to walk and run and jump The ability to believe in his precious god And most importantly, he would steal the man’s ability to love For chance in redemption through finding love in his enemies Another thing that the common man does not know is that however wicked this man may have been There were people that loved him People that would miss him And would never have the chance to love him again To never can see him smile again Like the same way, he used to when you opened the door for him as a child.

Hyphen By: Shreya Maharana

Despite being a college educated woman, I still find myself having difficulty with the "Where are you from?" question. And with it, I usually run the same multiple-choice quiz in my head:

Should I… a. Say that I'm Californian and be prodded to admit where I'm from, as though being born on Indian soil isn't enough of a token of my American-ness. b. Say that I'm Indian and sit through the whole FAQ, ("Wait, red dot Indian or Native American? Do you eat curry every night? Do your parents speak English? Will your marriage be arranged?") c. Say "around here" and fake that I must go to the bathroom.

I roll the dice with options A-C, depending on how much energy I have that day. But, the truth is? I'm not sure myself some days.

Being a woman of color, I feel that people often press me even harder on the "Where are you from?" question. Questions that are often considered harmless, but are actually mostly racist, can sometimes result in an awkward, stumbling identity crisis. My standard reply of, "California, around the LA area," never seems to placate people, because my dark skin, big brown eyes, and thick eyebrows betray me. I don't look like I'm American to a lot of people (sun-kissed, California-beach-blonde beauty), and so the label never quite fits.

I've lived in four big cities in under 21 years: Bhubaneswar, Trivandrum, Fremont, Arcadia, and now finally my college town, Riverside. It's hard to balance specific regional identities that pertain to the U.S. while juggling the complications of my ethnic identity as well. Saying I'm from California means something different to people than "American," and saying I'm Indian carries other implications. Plus, the "Indian" identity is an umbrella term for a series of different cultures all woven together by a similar overarching national thread and a political boundary.

India is a vast country with dozens of languages, cuisines, and more — no two Indian experiences can ever neatly intersect. Which is why I find it even harder to differentiate myself from other Indians. It’s hard being Odia. Most Americans know of Punjabi and Gujarati. But no one has heard of my native language Odia. It’s even hard to differentiate myself from the other Indians that Americans have grouped together. There are some Indians at my school who don’t know where I’m from. “What’s Odisha?” “Is that in the South?” “I have never heard of that.” Come on guys, you can’t just not know of an entire state. So, if other Indians don’t even know where I’m from, how am I supposed to expect Americans to figure it out? This comes my dilemma.

Perhaps if I had been born and raised in America, I wouldn’t feel as though I wasn't too Indian to fit under "American" neatly. And, maybe if I didn't spend the better part of my 21 years in America, I'd feel better just saying I am Indian. I love being Indian, but sometimes I don't feel Indian enough. I feel more Odia instead. But I am Indian. But I am also American. I am Odia. I am Odia-Indian-American. Neither here, nor there, nor even there — but somewhere in between. I lived in India for the better part of the first 2 years of my life, and once I moved to the U.S., I immediately felt alien amongst my classmates. With my limited knowledge of English, my shaved head (from a recent Mundan), and the fact that I had no idea who Barney was, I may as well have been from another planet. I was a quick study, though: I learnt English quickly, I watched all the "Blue's Clues" I could get my hands on. However, despite all my efforts otherwise, I felt culturally inept. I didn’t even feel comfortable around other Odia kids. I never knew the music they always knew of. I never understood how they could talk to the other kids at their schools, and I just didn’t understand how they just knew pop culture.

So, I stepped up my efforts. I began shirking my Indian-ness and wholly adopting American culture to fit in. I spent my teenage years pretending that my own culture was backwards, primitive, and something worth being ashamed of. I turned up my nose at Indian folks, maligned religion, and was just kind of a brat. I tried so desperately to lose all the things that made me different so that I could fall into a dominant narrative that wasn't mine and

40 didn't need to be mine — despite how much the world sometimes made (and still makes) me feel otherwise.

I had made an error in naively if assimilating wholeheartedly would make my life easier, but the truth is: whiteness didn't fit. And somehow, being full on Indian didn't either, given that I was (mostly) raised and schooled in America. I couldn’t relate to my family when I went back to India. I didn't feel as though I could relate to either fairly. In retrospect? As much as I desperately wanted one label or the other to fit in an absolutist fashion, they never needed to: it's okay to be who I am, the way I am. I think I am somewhere in between Indian and American. I’m the definition of a hybrid. I am essentially a hyphen.

The truth is, it's okay to feel like you're neither here nor there. And there is no right way to be Indian, and there is no right way to be American. We are all shaped by the experiences we've lived through. We're formed by our individual experiences and beliefs, and it's unfair to fit millions of experiences into one label for a curious stranger or even yourself. It is normal to feel confused by your own identity from time to time, to feel like an enigma.

Trust me though — as much as the world keeps making you feel like an absolute weirdo, you are not. Especially now with the current political climate in the world, it seems like a crime to be of any color, sexual orientation, gender, religion, faith, background. Learning and knowing that I have a place in this world has been healing; finding people who have shared similar struggles, experiences, and stories has been instrumental. Know that you are not entirely alone, and as you go through life you will encounter people. So, stand up for one another, fight for what you believe in. Love each other. Have faith in the universe. Have faith in being Odia.

Lord Jagannath - God as Human

By: Bibhu Dash

Odisha is a holy land of different gods and goddesses. Lord Jagannath is the supreme Lord of the land. Jagannath is the center of the human conscience and consciousness. The cult, religion & history of Lord Jagannath is the cult, religion & history of Odisha.

The cult of Lord Jagannath is a beautiful combination of worldly and cosmic realities. The specialty of the cult is that all the religions of the world has been merged within it to make it flexible, open and generous. Like all other religions it has not been narrowed down itself within certain idealistic values and principles. The cult is based upon peak ideals of democracy, humanitarian principle of equality, justice, honesty and integrity, which purely illustrates against the conservative outlook of casteism, sectarianism and any such other barriers for attainment of complete universalism. Therefore, Jagannath has been called the Lord of the whole universe. From ‘Advaitabad’ of Hindu Guru Sankaracharya to message of rebirth in Gita it has always enlightened the human consciousness for attainment of Moksha or Salvation. The cult depicts that the ultimate end of self-realization is the merger of soul with Paramatma, the Satchitananda-Sat (Truth) + Chit (Consciousness) + Ananda (Eternal joy).

The cult is a simple illustration of human nature and traits of God which makes it unique and distinctive from other worldly religions. The natural history of the cult also reflect the synthesis of human values and character. Different facets of human life have emerged within the cult to give it a unique place and stature. The devotee never think himself separate from his lord. The two are inseparable and are tightly hold with each other in the sacred bond of love, devotion and loyalty.

Unlike other deities of the Hindu gods, there is no anthropomorphic or artistic aspect to the murti of Jagannath, which has not been designed to represent the image of a human being but Lord Jagannath is as human as we are Like daily happenings and day-to-day activities of a common man, everyday rituals of the God includes bathing, brushing of teeth, dressing with a variety of colorful dresses and adornments in definite time intervals. Because of these manly traits and attributes it has been replicated in various facets of life. It also illustrates that there is

42 no discrimination and inequity among the people of different strata. All are equal before the Universal Lord. Whoever completely surrenders before Him with humble motive leaving apart all other material and non-material existence He takes care of all pain and pleasures by sheltering him under his supreme grace mitigating all His sorrows and sufferings. When different facets of the cult is thoroughly unfold it has been profoundly noticed that it spreads the ideals of human philosophy generously reflecting life in varied dimensions.

From king to ordinary man all are equal in the God's empire. The cult of Lord Jagannath has crossed all the borders of casteism, untouchability and disruptive selfish motives of human temperament. It proclaims the victory of human endeavor over all narrowness and conservatism.

Many of the paraphernalia and rituals amidst which Sri Jagannath dwells are human. He even suffers from fever, undergoes diet control and treatment”- says Dr. Manoj Das, an eminent writer referring to Snana Purnima & Anabasara rituals.

The Lord even discards His old body and appears in a new one like Navakalevara. As a man discarding worn-out clothes takes other new ones, likewise the embodied soul, casting off worn-out bodies enters into others which are new (Bhagavadgita, 2-22 – Vasamsi Jirnani..).

Not only that, he also visits His relatives every year. During Ratha Yatra, he goes to His aunt’s place with His siblings for a summer break. They are well pampered by their aunt with delicious foods and services.

Lord Jagannath is very fashionable too. He dresses up in Suna Besha, Nagarjuna Besha, Gajanan Besha and so on from time to time during different rituals in different seasons of the year.

Even Lord Jagannath with his siblings have birth charts as humans. Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe, Who is dispenser of the destiny of the Universe, is interested in knowing almost every day, what the stars foretell about Him. The Rashis and Nakshatras of Lord Jagannath and His elder brother and younger sister are as follows:

Deity Rashi Nakshatra

Lord Balabhadra Makara (Capricorn) Sravana (Altair)

Lord Jagannath Brusha (Taurus) Rohini (Aldebaran)

Devi Subhadra Bichha (Scorpio) Jyestha (Antares)

In the Puri Shri Jagannath Temple, there are 119 categories of Sevaks (servitors). The Sevaks perform seva (ritual services), including ‘Jyotisha Seva’ (Astrological service). At the time of ‘Abakasha’ in the morning, the Astrologer-servitor of the temple standing in the sanctum- sanctorum informs before the deities the ‘tithi’ and other astrological details of the day. Besides the temple Astrologer has other functions. On the day of the Rashi and Nakshatra of any of the three deities, a special ritual is performed in the temple which includes ‘Bandapana’ (obeisance) to the deities.

Lord Jagannath Pratharna or Pranama Mantras:

neelAchala-nivAsAya nityAya paramAtmane

balabhadra-subhadrAbhyAm jagannAthAya te namah

“I offer my humble prostrated obeisances to the eternal Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Jagannath, the Supersoul in the hearts of all living entities, Who resides with His divine elder brother Lord Balabhadra and His sister Subhadra-devi in the most holy abode of Shri Nilachala Kshetra Puri Dhama. “

jagadA-nanda-kandAya praNatArta-harAya cha

neelAchala-nivAsAya jagannAthAya te namah

“I offer my humble prostrated obeisances to Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Jagannath, Who resides in the most holy abode of Shri Nilachala Kshetra Puri Dhama, and Who is famous for completely removing all the distress of those who offer prostrated obeisance unto Him.”

Sudarshan Chakra Mantra

Om Sudarshanaya namah

Jaya Jagannatha, Balabhadra, Subhadra!

Ratha Yatra Across the Globe!!

By: Shey Mohanty

Ratha yatra is a chariot festival associated with Lord Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Ratha yatra is one of the world’s oldest religious festival. The origins of this festival started in the 18 th century by a king named Indradyumna. The gods are dressed and placed on the chariot for their nine-day journey.

Rath Yatra is now held and celebrated in over 100 cities across the globe. Although this festival started from Puri, there are many other places that celebrate this occasion tremendously. The top places that do celebrate are Puri, San Francisco, Mayapur, Venice, Santagati.

Puri- Rath Yatra, at Puri, is believed to be the place from where the festival originates and is the biggest festivals in the world. Millions of people from around the world crowd around the temple since early morning to have a go at pulling the sacred rope of the chariot! The Puri- essence, the huge chariots, the humid air clubbed with sudden downpour and the cacophonous din make this event one of its kind. If you’re looking for a place worth visiting in your lifetime, do add this to your list! San Francisco- the Chariot festival at San Francisco is simply one of the best held abroad. The whole program is organized by ISKON with their trademark procession style—the devotees irrespective of caste, creeds and religions, pulling the chariot like one big family and singing, merrymaking and dancing all along their way! It’s indeed a sight to behold and an event to witness. Mayapur there are many mythological stories the most famous being that Vishnu was born there. He was a devotee of Krishna. Unlike Puri, here too you’ll get to see three different chariots made for the deities, but they are much smaller than the original counterparts. Also, you’ll get to see the women dressed alike in colorful dresses while the men will be in their dhoti kurta, and chants of “Hare Rama, Hare Krishna” in rhythmic tunes

Venice celebrates the Rath Yatra festival in a fun, jovial and, of course, pious way! The first chariot festival was held here in 1977, and it is said that elephants used to pull those giant 40 ft.

45 tall vehicles. However, due to safety reasons elephants have been replaced by large ropes, which are pulled by hundreds of people living in and around Venice.

Saranagati, Vancouver, festival is indeed a “different” chariot festival, which provides not only a deep inner peace, but also greatly rejuvenates the mind and body. Although it is held at a much smaller scale compared to the ones at San Francisco and Venice, the Saranagati Rath Yatra accompanies a day totally dedicated to kirtans and seminars along with a grand feast which is indeed a kind of its own!

Despite of these five locations listing this is a world-wide celebration. Societies, like ours, have been formed outside of India for these occasions. Many other people have joined to experience our culture and the environment of the celebration.

My Best Friend By Dilasha Panigrahi I’ve recently just moved into my own apartment for college, and to say the least, adjusting hasn’t been easy. My first two weeks here I was alone since my roommate couldn’t move in until this week, and I’ve been handling traveling, managing some projects, and being very sick on my own. These past two weeks of making my own food and actually ‘adulting’ have made me very reflective, and I noted that I missed my mom more than usual. Of course I also missed my father and sister, but there was something about not being able to receive a warm hug from your mother when situations got tough that really got me thinking. Why was I only thinking of Mama more now that I was being forced to do many of the tasks she always did for me growing up without a question? Did I take her for granted? Why am I exclusively wishing for calls from my mother more than before?

To start answering these questions, I missed my mom more now than ever because I never realized how much she did for me without saying a word about it. I knew she gave up her career for her children, which a lot of people give her flack for, and Mama, I promise you, I will show the world that your sacrifice was not in vain. I knew she made sure we were able to experience everything a child raised in America should be able to, from swimming to camp to sports to music to prom; my Mama made sure I was involved and a part of it all. She never

46 blocked an opportunity from me because she knew she could trust me to do the right thing if I ever was offered the choice to go astray. I knew she worked twice as hard as other working moms without receiving the credit she deserved, and didn’t get to live out some of her dreams because of us. My sister and I have vowed to make sure that my mother lives out her dreams very soon, and we will never give up till we make her as happy as she has made us. But what I didn’t take the time to notice was the beauty in mundane tasks; cleaning a bathroom, making a sandwich, vacuuming, making sure our groceries were healthy, doing laundry, all mundane chores that are seemingly very simple but if all mounted upon one person become a crushing burden. She always did all of the above and more, never questioning her constant tiredness and always making sure there was never a barrier between my sister and my education and career. I had to act as that person for only a family of two, my roommate and I, for merely two weeks. Between work and class and dance I was overwhelmed; I don’t understand how my mother did all of that and more for a family of four for more than eighteen years, and continues to do so with one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen.

Truth is, yes, I did take my mother for granted. I think many of us who have a healthy upbringing are guilty of doing so, and we don’t realize it until too much time has passed. For some, they have this realization when they’re in the workforce, when it’s far too hard to spend much quality time with their parents. I was lucky enough to realize when I am still barely legal, and still have the ability to create ample memories with my parents before I enter the ‘real world.’ Though I will be working during summer breaks, I plan to spend every waking moment of winter break annoying Mama as much as I can.

As for why I’m not as emotional over my father and sister currently, I’m not sure. I love my father and sister more than anyone can imagine. I have been blessed with the most charming and understanding father I know; someone who trusts me and respects me as their equal, and that has been instrumental to developing my confidence. My father has never raised his hand on his three ladies, and my mother, sister, and I know he never will. He is the reason I am optimistic about my future and I know one day I will bring him to the Grammys or Apple’s big yearly product announcement, whichever industry I end up in. My sister is the most compassionate thirteen-year old I know. She is so incredibly talented yet somehow so grounded

47 and honestly you hug her once and you’re cured of any misery. My father and sister have set the bar very high for who I should trust in life, so why do I not call them as much right now? I’ve realized it’s because my father and sister are wonderful people and they are being granted the happiness they deserve right now. My mother is happy, but there always seems to be something working against her happiness. So I wanted to take this opportunity to surprise her and tell her how much she really means to me and to everyone around her.

Mama, people will always say mean things about you behind your back. But that’s where they belong, behind you. You are hands down, the most compassionate and diligent person I know. You are the reason I’m where I am and will be. You have this inherent desire to help others and always take the lead in organizing events that will only benefit other people. You have a beautiful voice and are talented beyond compare in the arts; where do you think Priyasha and I got it from?  You don’t let what’s happening around you slow you down and you always put your family and friends first. You are smart and outspoken, and nobody can ever call you fake because you say what you mean and that’s admirable. People may not like your honesty and that’s their loss because I’d rather have a friend tell me the truth to my face than pretend to be nice to me. You don’t deserve to put up with everything and everyone you deal with. Your smile is infectious and your laugh makes everyone around you forget about their sorrow in that moment. My peers in college always ask me where I would get my ideas from; they’re straight from you Mama, the most creative person I know. I hope one day you’re only surrounded by those who truly understand you and know what you’ve been through and put up with, because only they will be able to comprehend how strong and resilient of a person you are. You don’t let anyone tell you that you’re nothing but the best and you’re not bossed around by anyone. I have a very outgoing and passionate personality; my role models are females who take a stand and speak their mind. In our society, being outspoken with elders is considered a bad trait, and especially within Indian culture, women have been systematically oppressed, even with such a small norm as following your husband. You don’t let any man boss you around, and you and Papa have a very equal relationship that I hope to have with my spouse one day. I am proud that you aren’t a typical individual who is soft-spoken, keeps quiet, and thinks about ‘Log kya kahenge?’ You’ve taught me that if you believe in something and it is the right thing to do,

48 to forget about what people will say and go for it. You are loved, Mama. You are missed. I’m sad I won’t be able to see you very soon but I hope this makes up for it. Keep your chin up and know that one day, everything you’ve done will be appreciated and worth. You are my best friend. Love you, best friend. 

ଅନୁଭବ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀ ଦାଶ

ଏ ଯାବତ ଦିନରାତି ଧାଉ ଁଛି ଝାଳନାଳ ଏକାଠି କରି ନିଜ ପାଇ ଁ- ନିଜ ପାଇ ଁ ଏତତ ସବୁ ସମ୍ବଳ ଏକାଠି କରିଲା ପତର ଏ ବିଶାଳ ତାରା ଭତି ଆକାତଶ ନାଇ ଁପାହାଡ ଗଛ ଲତା ର ପୃଥିବୀ କୁ ତଦଖି ଲାଗୁଛି ଏ ସବୁ ସହ ମ ଁୁ ବି ଇଶ୍ଵର ଙ୍କ ଶୃଷ୍ଟି ତଛାଟ ରୁ ତଛାଟ ତଗାଟିଏ ବସ୍ତୁ

ଅକସ୍ମାତ ଇଛା ସବୁ ମରିଯାଏ ꭍବ ନ ସବୁ ହଜି ଯାଏ ଈ�ବର ଙ୍କ ବିଶାଳ ସଜଜନା ଆଗତର ଖୂବ ନି�ବ ଲାତଗ ନିଜକୁ ତସଇ ନି�ବତା ହି ଁଆଣିଦିଏ ଆତ୍ମା ତର ଏକ ଅବୟକ୍ତ ଆନନ୍ଦ ପାଖତର ପାଇବାର କିଛି ନଥାଏ

ଏତବ ତକବଳ - 'ଜୀବନ ମନ୍ତ୍ର' ନାନା ରଙ୍ଗ ନାନା ରୂପ ତନଇ ଆସୁଥିବା ଯାଉଥିବା - ନାନା ଋତୁର ଗୀତ ଓ ଛବି କୁ ସାଉ ଁଟି ତନଇ ଭିନ୍ନ ସ୍ୱାଦ ତର ଜୀବନ ବଂଚିବା ଖାଲିଟାତର ଖାଲିଟାତର ଦିନରାତି ବିତାଇ - ବଞ୍ଚିଯିବାକୁ - ଜୀବନର ବାକି ତକତତ ଅଂଶ

Painting By: Sidharth Maharana

େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ

େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀଶଦବୀ କାନ୍ତ େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ତ୍ରୀଶଲାକେ ନାଥ

େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଅଚୁୟତ ଅନନ୍ତ େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ନୀଳାନ୍ଦ୍ରୀେ ନାଥ

େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଭକ୍ତେ ଶସାଦେ େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଶଦବ ନିୋକାେ

େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ େଣ େକ୍ଷଣ େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ବାର୍ତ୍ତଷା ଉଚ୍ଚାେଣ

େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଦୀନେନ ବନ୍ଧୁ େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଶଦବ କୃପାସିନ୍ଧୁ

େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଆେତ ଭଞ୍ଜନ େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ କେୁଣା ନିଧନ

େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଅମେ ବନ େୟ େୟ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଯଶ ାଦା ନନ

ଚତୁଦଷ ଭୁବଶନ ବିଖୟାତ ଶଶ୍ରଷ୍ଠ ଧାମ ପଞ୍ଚଶକା ଆୟତନ ନୀଳାଚଳ ଧାମ

ଶକ୍ଷତ୍ର ଶବାଲି ଶଯହୁ େଗଶତ ବିହିତ ମଶହାଦଧି କୂଶଳ ଶଦବ ଅତୟନ୍ତ ଶ ାଭିତ

ଏପେି ନୀଳ ଇଳ ପଶେ ଯା ପ୍ରାସାଦ ବଡଶଦଉଳ ନାମଶେ ଚିର୍ତ୍ତ କଶେ ଶମାଦ

ତାମଶଧ୍ୟ ସହସ୍ର ଦଳ କମଳ ସୁେ େତ୍ନସିଂହାସନ ନାଶମ ଅତି ମଶନାହେ

ତହି େଁବିଶେ କେିଛନ୍ତି ଚାେିମୂର୍ତ୍ତି ଶହାଇ ତବ ଦ ଷଶନ ପାପୀଏ ଯାନ୍ତି ତ୍ରାଣ ପାଇ

ଡାହାଶଣ ଶ୍ରୀ ବଳଶଦବ ଶେବତୀେ କାନ୍ତ ମଧ୍ୟଶେ ସୁଭରା ଶଦବୀ ନିଶେ ଶଲାକ ମାତା

ବାମଶେ ସୁଦ ଷନ ସହ ପାଉଅଛି ଶ ାଭା କେ ପ୍ରସାେି ଡାକୁଛି ଆସ ବେ ଶଦବା

ସବୁ ପାଥଷମାନଙ୍କୁ ସଶତ ଶେନିକେି ନାଲି ମଶଳ ମହିମା କଲ ୋେି

ନୀଳଚକ୍ର ପଶେ ଶଦବ ଉଡାଇ ପତାକା ପାପୀଙ୍କୁ କହୁଚ ତୁଶମ ନହୁଅ ତାଟକା

ଶତତି ଶକାଟି ଶଦବତା ମାନବ େୂପଶେ ପ୍ରତିଦିନ ଦ ଷନ କେନ୍ତି ଶ୍ରୀଛାମୁଶେ

ତିନି ଧୂପ ପଞ୍ଚ ଅବକା ଶେ ମଣହି କେୁଛି ଷାଠିଏ ପଉଟି ବ୍ରହ୍ମା ଶଗାସାଇ େଁ

ବାେମାଶସ ଶତେଯାତ କେିଛି ଭିଆଣ ଶଦଖି େନମାଶନ ଯାନ୍ତି ଶବୈକୁ ଭୁବନ

ତୁମେ ମହିମା ଅବା କି ୋଣି ପାେିବି ନ େଁୁହଇ ପିତ ମ େଁୁହି ନୁହଇ େଁଶଯ କବି

କେିନାହି େଁସ ସ ନାହି େଁଦିବୟଜ୍ଞାନ ଲଶବ ମାତ୍ର େପି ନାହି େଁହୃଶଦ ତୁମ ନାମ

ପ୍ରବାସୀ ଓଡିଆମାଶନ ଶହାଇ ଏକତ୍ରିତ କାଲିଫର୍ଣ୍ିଆଶେ କଶଲ ଶ୍ରୀଗୁିଚାଯାତ

ଶସମାନଙ୍କୁ ଆ ୀବଷାଦ କେ େଗନ୍ନାଥ ଏହିପେି ଚାଲିଥାଉ ତୁମ େଥଯାତ

ଦୟାକେ ଦୟାକେ ଶ୍ରୀୋ ଚେଣ ତୁମ ଚେଣ ତଶଳ େହୁ ତାଙ୍କ ମନ

By: ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ ସତୟଭାମା ଶବହୁୋ - ଶ୍ରୀବିହାେ କଶଲାନୀ , ତୁଳସୀପୁେ , କଟକ - ଓଡି ା