Puri: He taught Sanskrit in school but his love and dedication for Lord Jagannath have been lauded. Chintamani Dash, 68, of Bhubaneswar has been donating lotus flowers for the Padma Besha ritual at Srimandir for last nine years. Das, a native of Marshaghai area of Kendrapara district, has been living in Bhubaneswar since 1980.
Das has taken four ponds near Dhauli in Bhubaneswar on lease to collect lotus flowers for the Padma Besha ritual of Lord Jagannath. “I had decided to provide lotus flowers for the Padma Besha ritual in 2011. Since then, I have been providing flowers for the ritual,” said Dash who, along his wife, donated around 3,000 lotus flowers Wednesday for the unique ritual at Srimandir.
According to Dash, he had engaged several workers to pluck the flowers Tuesday. “Altogether 42 people were engaged to collect the flowers and prepare garlands. We have been keeping strict vigil around the lotus ponds for last four months to prevent anyone from plucking the flowers,” Dash said.
The retired Sanskrit teacher has been offering lotus flowers at Goddess Batamangala shrine on the outskirts of the Holy City for last several years. “I usually offer flowers to Goddess Bimala, Mahalaxmi and Bhubaneswar on Srimandir premises. I would continue to provide lotus flowers for Padma Besha ritual till my last day,” Dash said.