June 27th 2024.
In the beautiful town of Puri, there is a sacred temple that attracts a large number of devotees every day. Located 23 kilometers along the Puri-Satpara National Highway, the Alarnath Temple is a popular destination for those seeking darshan of the presiding deity, Alarnath Deb. But that's not all - visitors also come here to taste the famous "kheer" prasad, a sweet and delicious offering to the deity.
Legend has it that during the anasara period, when the main temple is closed for two weeks and the deities are in seclusion, Lord Jagannath manifests himself in Alarnath Dev. This belief has been passed down for centuries and continues to draw people from far and wide. In fact, even Sri Chaitanya Dev, the founder of the Krishna cult, wrote about his own experience of seeing Lord Jagannath in Alarnath.
In 1610 AD, Sri Chaitanya Dev and his followers stayed in the town for many years, worshipping the deity and spreading the teachings of Lord Krishna. Since then, Alarnath Temple has become a holy place for devotees during the anasara period of the main temple.
To ensure that the temple runs smoothly during this time, a dedicated group of temple servitors work tirelessly to prepare large quantities of kheer. This sweet dish is made with buffalo milk and various sweeteners, making it a delicious treat for all who taste it. It is said that over ten to fifteen thousand liters of buffalo milk are used every day to make the kheer, which is then offered to the deity and distributed among the eager devotees.
To manage the large crowds of pilgrims, the administration has put in place elaborate security arrangements. Police and traffic personnel have been deployed to regulate the flow of people and vehicles. Temporary rest sheds have also been set up, providing facilities like drinking water, toilets, and washrooms for the convenience of visitors. The entire temple and its surroundings are adorned with beautiful lights, creating a serene and spiritual atmosphere.
The darshan of the deity continues throughout the day and into the night, with visitors queuing up patiently for their turn. As a way to enhance the spiritual experience, local cultural bodies organize bhajan recitals in the evenings, adding to the peaceful and holy atmosphere of the temple.
Indeed, Alarnath Temple is not just a place of worship, but a symbol of faith and devotion that brings people together from all walks of life.
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