Author: Sweety Vyas
Every year, during the month of Magha, Lord Jagannath is beautifully decorated with lotus flowers. Padma Vesha is an important ritual at the Jagannath Temple in Puri. Padma means lotus and Besha refers to the Lord’s attire. This has been going on for more than three hundred years. This unique annual event is considered as auspicious. Behind this ritual is a story of extraordinary love and devotion.
Manohar Das was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath who spent his life mediating on Mount Mahendra. One winter, he decided to have darshan of Lord Jagannath. He embarked on a long journey to Puri on foot. On his way there, he came across a pond. He quenched his thirst, filling his hands with water. When he looked up, he saw an amazing sight – the pond was filled with beautiful lotus flowers. He was amazed, as during the winter month lotus flowers generally do not bloom. This ignited in him a special desire to take the flowers and offer them to Lord Jagannath. He collected some lotuses, packed them in his spare towel and carried them on his head. He was eager to give them to the Lord and experienced no discomfort carrying them. Instead, he enthusiastically looked forward to offering the lotuses to the Lord.
He reached Puri on Mauni Amavasya which is Magha Masa’s Amavasya day. He offered the lotus flowers to the Khuntias, the sevaks (servitors) who made flower garlands for Lord Jagannath. But the Khuntias did not accept the lotuses as they had dried up. They threw away the flowers. They scolded him for bringing flowers that had no value or beauty. Disheartened, Manohar Das walked away. Due to his immense pain, he fainted near Badachatta Mutt. When he came back to external consciousness, he packed all the lotus flowers in a cloth. He had carried the lotus flowers carefully so far with love and devotion. Now it would not be used to adorn the Lord. Shedding tears, he fervently prayed to Lord Jagannath to accept his lotus flowers. He composed a song and sang to the Lord.
What happened next was remarkable and a testament of Lord Jagannath’s love for His devotee. During that time Rajaguru Bhavadeva was in charge of the temple. The Lord appeared in his dream and instructed him fulfill the desire of Manohar Das and to adorn the deities with the lotuses. The Rajaguru awoke and began searching for Manohar. He found him and gave the flowers to the sevaks. By Lord Jagannath’s merciful glance, the lotuses bloomed became very fresh and fragrant. When people saw this miracle, they realized that Manohar Das was no ordinary person – he was a great devotee of Lord Jagannath. The Lord was then beautifully decorated with the lotus flowers. Lord Jagannath wanted to be adorned in this way. All the devotees enjoyed the darshan of the Lord’s form with special lotus flowers brought so lovingly by His devotee. A special khir-bhoga (sweet rice pudding) was also offered.
Every year, to commemorate this special day, Lord Jagannath and the other deities are adorned with “Vesha of Lotus.” The Lord is adorned in this way in the month of Magha on Wednesday or Saturday before Basant Panchami. Many devotees come to witness this wonderful adornment.
In the Bhagavad Gita it is mentioned – patraṁ puṣhpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ – If one offers the Lord a leaf, flower, fruit or water with love and devotion, the Lord accepts it. It reminds us that the Lord is truly compassionate and is only looking for our love and devotion. He understands and reciprocates with the sincere intentions of His devotees.
