Puri: The pilgrim city of Puri is home to not only several shrines and mutts but is also a storehouse of several historical artefacts and antiques. An ancient horse carriage at Kuladananda Ashram here has turned out to be a crowd puller which reminds us of the famous quote of English actor Orlando Bloom – “The best way to look stylish on a budget is to try second-hand, bargain hunting, and vintage.”
The ashram, situated in front of Jatia Babaji Mutt here, was established in 1337 AD and its authorities have been taking utmost care of the horse-drawn vehicle as these kinds of carriages are rarely seen nowadays.
Kuladananda was born at Ichhapur village near Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka in 1274 AD. A disciple of Jatia Baba at Gendaria Ashram of Dhaka, Kuladananda obtained the realisation after penance at Chandi Hills on The Himalayas.
An ascetic by birth, Kuladananda travelled numerous villages across the country before he reached the Holy City along with his Guru. In fact, Kuladananda was not the only saint who had come to the Shrikhetra and never returned to their places.
Several revered souls had opened mutts and ashrams after having darshan of the deities of Srimandir apparently to devote themselves to the services of the Trinity- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.
Kuladananda had initially built an ashram near Narendra pond and was supplying Tulasi (basil leaves), which he grew at his garden, to Srimandir. He worshipped a Shivling which he had brought from Narmada river. The Shivling is being worshipped at the ashram till date.
The ashram which is run by a trust has been taking good care of the horse carriage and other belongings of Kuladananda including his matted hair. Trust head Shankar Bandopadhyay said tourists from West Bengal always make it a point to visit the ashram whenever they visit the coastal city.
The ashram witnesses rush during the tourism season as many throng the place to witness the temple, a garden and a pond filled with lotus. However, the horse cart has been the main attraction for the visitors, who stare at it with curiosity.
Kuladananda was believed to have used the carriage to witness the beauty of the sea before having darshan of the deities at Srimandir. The horse carriage has been preserved in a glass house by the trust head.
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