President Draupadi Murmu Jagannath Puri Visit

Draupadi Murmu President of India

Since childhood, I remember many prayers and hymns of Shri Jagannath ji. I used to sing songs while studying in school and college. I used to feel happy by singing the hymns of Lord Jagannath. She felt Mahaprabhu close to her. Now I don’t sing songs, but every morning and evening I remember Mahaprabhu and hum his hymns. I feel that Mahaprabhu is always around me. Help me in times of calamity. Even today I sing the song of devotee poet Madhusudan Rao in my mind: “Mahaprabhu Parmeshwar is with me day and night, remembering this I will worship Him continuously in my heart.”

By the time I reached the age of understanding, I started knowing Jagannath ji. He was often discussed in our house. His glory was talked about in every hamlet of the village. When I was studying in the village school, Bhakta Salbeg’s prayer “Aahe Nido Shoido” was sung. The school teachers used to say different things about Jagannath ji. There is a big temple in Puri, there is no such big temple anywhere else! In the temple, Shri Jagannath ji is worshiped along with his sister Subhadra and elder brother Balabhadra.

Jagannath ji’s complexion is black, his eyes are round. Subhadra ji’s complexion is yellow, Balbhadra’s complexion is white like moonlight flower. That image, once seen, is never forgotten. Sir also used to say, Jagannath is ‘Mahaprabhu’, His Prasad is ‘Mahaprasad’, His temple is ‘Bada Mandir’, His path is ‘Vishal Path’ (‘Bodo Dando’) and His ocean is ‘Mahodadhi’.

There was a long distance from Uparbeda village of Mayurbhanj to Purushottam Kshetra Puri. How would I have got the opportunity to see it? But I went to Bhubaneswar and enrolled in Girls High School, Unit-2. Started living in hostel. After that I saw Puri, Bhubaneswar and Konark. The memory of seeing Jagannath for the first time has not been erased from my mind.

Very big temple, big deities! Can all this be forgotten? Can his Rath Yatra be forgotten? Thirteen festivals are celebrated in Srikshetra in twelve months. But the beauty of Rath Yatra is unique. Devotees come here throughout the year and have darshan of Mahaprabhu by going inside the temple.

But once in a year Mahaprabhu comes out of his grand temple on the ‘Vishal Path’ (“Bodo Dando”). Gives darshan to the devotees. Three Thakurs sitting on three chariots travel towards Gundicha temple with Chakraraj Sudarshan. Stay there for seven days and return. This great festival of Mahaprabhu is incomparable.

I am a devotee of Jagannath ji since childhood. He is always my most adored one. He is the controller of the rise and fall of my life. He is the creator of my sorrow and happiness. I have also suffered a lot in life. Mahabahu has rescued me from all those terrible sorrows. I am his daughter! As soon as the announcement of making me a candidate for the post of President was made, I remembered Mahaprabhu.

Lord, you are taking me to such heights, support me at every step, stay with me always – this was my prayer. He heard my prayer and is listening also. The great festival of Rath Yatra came during my stay in Delhi as a presidential candidate. But it was not possible to go to Puri. On the day of the Rath Yatra, early in the morning, I went to the Jagannath temple in Hauz Khas, Delhi and had darshan of Mahaprabhu.

Heart filled with joy. His blessings showered upon me. I filed my nomination papers with great confidence. Participated in the election campaign with great enthusiasm. While going to take oath in the Central Hall of Parliament on 25th July 2022, I was praying to Jagannath ji. With his blessings, my oath taking ceremony was completed very well. It was as if he was with me during my first speech as President.

I became anxious to go to Puri and have the darshan of Mahaprabhu. Days passed, but I could not go to Puri. I wondered how anyone could go to him without his invitation! I told him in my mind, if I have any fault, please forgive me Lord, call me Puri, give me darshan. He is a master of emotions. How can you not understand my feelings? Within a few days, the plan to go to Puri was decided. That day was November 10, 2022.

After landing in Puri, the car-cade started towards Shri Mandir. As soon as Kar-Ked reached the sacred path of Puri, a unique feeling spread within me. This huge path belongs to Mahaprabhu Jagannath only. What is the need for protocol here? Puri is famous as Kshetraraj. Mahaprabhu is Devadhidev. Before thinking anything else, I stopped the car.

When my car stopped, all the vehicles coming behind stopped. Before anyone could understand anything, I started walking barefoot on the holy path. Sri Mandir was about two kilometers away. Looking at the blue chakra of the temple and the fallen sacred flag, I kept moving ahead. She was also greeting the children, women, young students and elderly people standing on both sides of the path.

My attention was on Jagannath ji. As soon as I reached the lion gate of Sri Mandir, I could not remain still. By then I had forgotten myself. Lying prostrate in the dust of the sacred path, I bowed to Mahaprabhu. After that enter the temple. As soon as I reached the sanctum sanctorum and saw the Chaturdha idols, I was overwhelmed with joy.

Mahaprabhu is the Lord of the world, the Lord of the orphans. He is always ready to remove the sorrows of the people of the world. That’s why the eyelids of his round eyes never blink. No one is big or small for them. They look at everyone equally and invite everyone with the mantra of equality.

It is only after receiving his compassion that I have dedicated myself to the service of every section of the society. She bowed and said, With your blessings, may this sense of dedication of mine always remain, O great-armed one. Keep your shadow over the country and the world, O Kripanidhi! Saying this I became overwhelmed with devotion!

The beauty of Rath Yatra is unique and unforgettable… The memory of seeing Jagannath for the first time has not been erased from my mind. Very big temple, big deities! Can all this be forgotten? Can his Rath Yatra be forgotten? Thirteen festivals are celebrated in Srikshetra in twelve months. But the beauty of Rath Yatra is unique.

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