Lord Jagannath's Rasagola #RasagolaProject

“I never stood a chance, did I?”

"Why this doubt?"

"They are debating about my origin!"

"The truth still remains the same, no matter what some say!"

"And most of the world doesn't know the truth- that you have always gifted me to your wife - Maa Lakshmi."

"Yes, I take your help to pacify Lakshmi after my replies to Her questions (Bachanika). She then lets me inside our home after my Ratha Jatra outing with my siblings "

"On Niladri Bije, Bhittarachhu Mohapatra, a major priest (sebayat) prepares me with much love as per the ancient tradition and hands me over to you to gift."

   

"Then, I smartly gift you to Lakshmi, who is both surprised and delighted to receive my sweet gift!"

"Out of the 365 days in a year, Niladri Bije is the only day when your devotees offer me to you and thus it is called 'Rasagola Dibasa'."

"My devotees know my love for food and there are specific days for specific dishes & food-items that are offered as bhog on those days."

"Leave alone my Odisha origin, they are even not attributing my name to Odia language!"

"In the sixth classical language of India i.e. in Odia language, “Rasa” means juice and “gola/gulla” means balls. There are many sweets in Odisha that start with the word- “Rasa” like Rasabali, Rasabara etc. Your name 'Rasagola' finds mention in the 15th Century Dandee Ramayana."

"Despite all this, they feel that the main ingredient that's used for my preparation, Chhena (cottage-cheese), is of foreign origin! And that the Portuguese taught the art of Chhena preparation!"

"They are either ignorant or wish to hide the fact that I have been enjoying many varieties of Chhena dishes much before the Portuguese visited India! Chhena finds reference in an Odia Dictionary. There are many Odisha sweets like Chhena Poda, Chhena Jhili, Chhena Murki, Chhena Payes, Chhena Bara etc. that are prepared from Chhena!"

"Many protestors are unwilling to accept any Chhena reference as they claim that it's 'sacrilege to offer curdled milk to Gods' like you!"

"For the info of those who don’t know: the dishes that are offered to me have had centuries-old historical and cultural association with the land where I reside - the modern-day Odisha. New additions have not been there to my bhog. All my food-items are prepared with much care and as per ancient customs. Only the dishes that are prepared using indigenous vegetables, fruits and grocery are allowed as per my Temple's rituals and customs. Thus, chillies, potatoes, tomatoes etc. are not used as they are not native to our land. 
Had Chhena been of foreign origin and not been our land’s product, Rasagola would never have been offered to me or to Goddess Lakshmi as bhog."   

"Some of your devotees believe my round shape is inspired by your Chaka Akhi- i.e. round eyes."

*Chuckles* "Many of my devotees know that- 'Chaka Akhi Sabu Dekhuchi' - 'My round eyes see everything."

NOTE- The above is a conversation between "Rasagola" and "Lord Jagannath".

More Rasagola posts here.

Linking with IndiSpire Edition#200- Share what is your source of strength and how it empowers you during difficult times. What helps/helped you find purpose in your life? #EmbraceLife

Lord Jagannath is Rasagola's strength and vice-versa. A conversation with the Lord empowers all His devotees including me!

Odisha Government is in process of obtaining GI tag for Odishara Rasagolla. It originated in #Odisha and is offered at Jagannath Temple as part of religious rituals by people of Odisha since centuries. pic.twitter.com/zk0tOAxj7c

— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) November 14, 2017

Do you converse with God? Were you aware of the centuries-old connection of Rasagolas with Lord Jagannath Temple Puri Odisha? Do share in the comments below.