You all know that Lord Jagannath’s kitchen at Puri in Odisha operates 24 hours a day. 56 types of offerings are prepared there. No one can return hungry, and the Lord is offered 56 dishes throughout the day. This kitchen never runs out of food. There’s a story behind this.
Why is Neem Powder Offered?
Did you know that Lord Jagannath is also fed neem powder along with these 56 offerings? Devotees and the general public are perplexed and ask why the Lord is offered such bitter neem powder, why does he like such a bitter neem offering? So let us tell you the story behind it.
What is the story behind this?
Once, an old woman who lived in the village of Jagannath Puri would see Lord Jagannath eating 56 types of offerings every day. One day, she thought, “My son Jagannath eats so much offerings, so he might get a stomach ache.” With this thought in mind, she prepared neem powder from her home and brought it for Lord Jagannath, but the temple gatekeeper refused to let her in and threw it away.
That very night, Lord Jagannath appeared in the dream of the King of Puri and said, “A devotee of mine, a mother, had lovingly brought neem powder for me, but your gatekeepers did not let her in.” The next day, the king recounted his dream, went to the mother’s home, and asked her to prepare the same neem powder. The old mother prepared the neem powder again for her son Jagannath and offered it to him. This tradition has continued ever since. Lord Jagannath is also offered neem powder as an offering. In our country, these stories between devotee and God strengthen faith and belief.
