Khichdi : Lord Jagannath proverbially loves Khichdi more than any other food.
Seers and devotees credit it to Karma bai, an ardent devotee of Lord Sri Krishna.
Legend : Karma bai was born in a Vaishanav family in Rajasthan.
She was a child widow and spent her days in devotion and domestic chores.
Her father , a Jat farmer was a great devotee of Lord Sri Krishna.
Once , he went out to some other city and asked little Karma to offer Naivadaya Bhog to Krishna.
Well, he also advised her to offer Naivadya bhog first ; then only consume food.
Being a small girl; she could only prepare Khichdi as Bhog.
But, she kept on trying to offer Khichdi to Lord but he did not eat it.
Unwavering : Interestingly, she refused to eat or drink anything as she felt it would hurt her Krishna.
Seers point out ; Lord Krishna got too appeased by her utmost devotion and consumed Khichdi.
This ritual went on till her father returned back and saw this miracle.
Naturally, she became famous across Rajasthan and priests of Puri invited her to offer Bhog to Krishna.
She prepared Khichdi bhog for Lord for years and spent her entire in Puri till her last.
Facts :Karma bai is an integral part of Sri Jagannath Yatra.
Well, priests offer Khichdi in her name to Lord Jagannath ji.
Her Samadhi is next to Lord Jagannath Puri.
Seers and devotees seek her blessings for prosperous and serene life.
Well : साधवो हृदयं मह्यं साधूनां हृदयं त्वहम् ।
मदन्यत् ते न जानन्ति नाहं तेभ्यो मनागपि ॥ ६८ (Srimad Bhagwad Purana)
(The true devotee dwells in my heart ; so do I in his /her heart. He or she only knows me and so do I )
Prayer : Sri Ganeshaya Namah Jai Sita Ram Jai Balbhadra ji Ma Subhadra and Jagannath ji Namo Parvatipataye Har Har Mahadev Shambo Jai Jai Hanuman Gosai Kripa Karo Gurudev Ki Nai
Pranam to Ma Karma Bai , a pious and great devotee !
Pic Credits : Google Images / Web