In the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, Lord Jagannath is worshipped alongside his siblings, Subhadra and Balaram. However, there's another deity who holds immense importance in this sacred shrine - Devi Bimala. She is considered an integral part of the temple's rituals and is worshipped with equal fervor as Lord Jagannath.
Devi Bimala is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, and is also considered the sister of Lord Vishnu. According to mythological beliefs, she is the presiding deity of the Jagannath Temple and has a special connection with Lord Jagannath. The holy offering (bhog) presented to Lord Jagannath is first offered to Devi Bimala, and only then is it accepted by the Lord.
The story behind this ritual is steeped in mythology. It is said that Lord Jagannath's bhog was prepared by Goddess Lakshmi herself, and it was so divine that even Narad Muni, a sage, was tempted to taste it. However, Goddess Lakshmi warned him that if he revealed the secret of the bhog to anyone, it would lose its significance. Narad Muni, unable to resist, shared the secret with other gods, including Lord Shiva, who was so pleased with the bhog that he started dancing. This pleased Goddess Parvati, who then requested Lord Shiva to share the bhog with her. However, by then, the bhog had been consumed, and Goddess Parvati was left disappointed.
In her anger, Goddess Parvati cursed that the bhog would henceforth be shared with everyone, and not just limited to the gods. Lord Jagannath, understanding the situation, agreed to offer the bhog to Devi Bimala first, and then accept it himself. This ritual has been continued to this day, with the bhog being offered to Devi Bimala before it is accepted by Lord Jagannath.
Devi Bimala's significance in the Jagannath Temple is immense, and she is worshipped with great fervor by devotees. Her association with Lord Jagannath and the rituals of the temple make her an integral part of the shrine's spiritual fabric. The story of Devi Bimala serves as a reminder of the importance of sharing and the significance of rituals in our spiritual journey.
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