The mysticism surrounding Lord Jagannath is limitless. The temple boasts of the largest kitchen in the world. The kitchen is located in south-east direction of the outer compound of Srimandir on plot no 205. It has three large-sized rooms, 240 earthen hearths, 500 chefs (Suaras), 600 assistants (Jogadias). Its length is 150 feet, breadth 100 feet and height 20 feet. Everyday rice between 50 quintals and 200 quintals, dal between 25 quintals and 100 quintals, vegetables between 18 quintals and 32 quintals and 3,200 pieces of coconuts are cooked. The volume of food varies depending upon occasions.
Hearths under hammer
According to Shreemahaprasad Rahasya by Rabindra Pratihari, the hearths are divided into 11 parts allotted in the names of erstwhile kings, zamindars and mutts. Interestingly, these hearths are purchased and sold like landed properties. Only Suaras and Mahasuaras take part in the bid. Food is prepared in red earthen pots. The pots look red as they are semi baked. This is done to withstand high temperature during cooking.
Fibre-rich
An important aspect of the food is that it is cooked on steam which keeps the nutritional value of the food intact. According to tradition, only fibre-rich vegetables are used and this is why no one falls ill after consuming Mahaprasad. Moreover, there are instances when sick people get cured by taking Mahaprasad. Late Girija Shankar Ray, former principal of SCS College, Puri is a case in point.
Cure for sure
About 50 years back, he suffered from intestine ulcer. He took all types of medicines but did not get results. Meanwhile, a reputed physician from Kolkata advised him to partake Mahaprasad for a few months. To Ray’s surprise, he fully recovered after a few months. Devotees from north and western India believe Karmabai Devi cooks the food in the kitchen. This is the reason the biggest pot of the kitchen is known as Karmabai Handi or Baihandi. Legend has it that Karmabai was an ardent follower of Jagannath and she used to offer her home cooked ‘Khichdi’ to the Lord and it was His favourite.
Food sans notice
It is believed that Goddess Mahalaxmi supervises the food. Provisions for the temple kitchen are brought from Mahalaxmi Bhandar. The earthen pots are provided by Kumbhakara Nijoga Society. The potters of Kumbharapara supply these pots to the temple kitchen. The fuel wood for the kitchen was previously supplied from different forests of the state. But after nationalisation, the state forest corporation provides wood for cooking purpose. Although the daily count of meals is 5,000, on special occasions, it may go many times this number.
“In one to one-and-half hours, food for one lakh devotees is prepared in the kitchen. You will never see it in any temple across the country,” claimed Biswanath Samantray, a senior servitor at the kitchen. “The entire Mahaprasad is buried if we fail to prepare it by the deadline,” Samantray added. Sukadev Mohapatra, another servitor, said “It is not written in any book how much rice is to be cooked. Food is cooked for the devotees who come.” The kitchen is therefore considered the biggest hotel in the world.
Bijay Mandal
