Stories of Jagannatha

Lord Jagannatha is very popular here. He is considered a very powerful Deity by residents of different villages, and even Muslims sometimes worship Him. During Snan-yatra, they bring their offerings to Lord Jagannatha. There is a big celebration on that day. Thus, everyone brings milk and food to offer to Lord Jagannatha.

Once during Snan-yatra, about 15 years ago, two rickshaw drivers also came. One rickshaw driver took some khichuri (rice and lentil porridge) prasadam (sanctified food offered to God) and brought some for his friend, who was a Muslim and did not want to go inside.

The rickshaw driver says to his Muslim friend: “I brought you some prasadam anyway,” but the friend threw the food on the ground and said: “We don’t eat these things.”

That night, the Muslim dreamed of Lord Balarama sitting on him, pressing him down and beating him. The Muslim was very frightened. Subhadra was also in the dream. She was laughing and saying: “Kill him, kill him!”. And Lord Jagannatha was also laughing.

The next day, this Muslim came very humbly to the Deities, worshipped Lord Jagannatha, and asked for some khichuri maha-prasadam. But there was nothing left. “But maybe at least a little bit is left?” the Muslim began to beg. So the pujari went to look in the pots, found some, and the Muslim happily took it.