Kolkata, 10 June (H.S.) -In a unique spiritual initiative, West Bengal is set to witness the distribution of Mahaprasad from the Jagannath Temple in Digha across every district of the state. The offering — 300 kilograms of sweetened condensed milk (khoa kheer) — was presented before Lord Jagannath on Monday and has now been dispatched in refrigerated vans for statewide distribution, aiming to reach households by June 27.

Sacred Offering in the Name of the People

According to officials, the offering has been made in the name of the people of Bengal, with prayers for the well-being and prosperity of all citizens. Indranil Sen, Minister of Information and Culture, is overseeing the entire process, ensuring the sanctity and order of the distribution, which spans from June 17 to June 27.

At the Digha temple, a ceremonial event marked the commencement of this initiative. By 10 a.m., 300 kilograms of khoa kheer had arrived from Kolkata. The offering was divided into 30 brass plates, each filled with 10 kilograms of the sweet and labeled for each district. Thirty women carried the offerings into the temple accompanied by devotional chants, drums, and cymbals, forming a grand procession.

Present at the ceremony were ISKCON Vice President Radharaman Das and East Medinipur District Magistrate Purnendu Maji, along with senior district officials. Radharaman Das noted, “Lord Jagannath’s blessings are now being extended to every corner of the state. This sacred initiative has been taken in the name of the people, praying for their happiness and prosperity.”

Soon after the offering, the prasadam for East Medinipur was handed over to block and municipal representatives. All 25 blocks of the district were covered. For the rest of the state, refrigerated vans have been deployed to carry the offering. Each district has prepared a list of local sweet-makers who will prepare traditional sweets like gaja and pera, blending them with the sacred kheer. These will be packaged along with a photo of the Digha Jagannath Temple and distributed via public ration shops.

The packaging is being managed by self-help groups from across the state. In South Bengal, the distribution will be done by road, while in North Bengal, air transport will be used, followed by local delivery through ration shops.

June 11 marks the Snan Yatra (ritual bathing) of Lord Jagannath, after which the temple remains closed for public darshan due to the deity’s symbolic illness, from June 12 to June 25. The temple will reopen on June 26, one day before Rath Yatra, amid tight security, anticipating large crowds. On July 5, Ulta Rath (return chariot) will be observed with similar security protocols.

Notably, following the tradition of Puri, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra will not re-enter the sanctum on the day of their return. Instead, they will remain in their chariots outside the temple until July 8, when they will be ceremoniously brought back inside.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh