Orissa is a land of great diversity and vibrant festivals. Two such festivals are ‘Anla Navami’ and ‘Radha Pada Darshan’ which are celebrated widely in the state on the same day. At Sakshigopal Mandir Maa Radha is decorated in true Odiyani Besha (style) with her lotus feet visible so that people can have darshan. People from all over Orissa and nearby states come here to take part in the festivals.
Orissa Post correspondent Chaitali Shome spoke to temple officials, local people and the main priest.
Sakshigopal Mandir Executive Officer Kailash Chandra Mishra says, “Radha Pada Darshan is believed to lead to moksha. Radharani’s feet are kept covered throughout the year, but on Anla Navami day one can get a sacred darshan as she wears her clothes in typical Oriyani fashion with a Kachha on. This Kachha is called Kania Kachha. We expect around three lakh visitors for this festival this year.”
Natabar Acharya, a local resident said, “We are very proud of this as it’s the biggest festival after rath yatra. In the Vedas Kartik and Margasira months are months meant for worship when pujas are done for Anla trees as it is believed that Lord Vishnu is being given a bath after a massage with Anla paste. This tree has many medicinal properties and it helps one to fight winter cough and cold. The puja of Anla tree is done during ‘Anla Navami’.
Narihari Mohapatra, the temple’s main priest said, “There is an old story that after Lord Rama won back Sita there was a celebration at Ayodha, and while Sita distributed food Lord Hanuman saw her and wondered how beautiful she was. Soon Lord Ram came to know about this and Hanuman was embarrassed. To fulfil his wish to see Sita Maa he ordered him to look at her feet when she incarnates as Goddess Radha.”
He said the temple will remain open from 6 am to 12 pm and steps have been taken by the government to make darshan comfortable for devotees.
Viswanath Mohapatra, the supervisor at the mandir said, ”The prasad of Sakshigopal Mahaprabhu is unique as he loves dry things like Sarapuli, Khurma, Saragaja, Laddu, Dalimba, Kakara, Keli, Sara, Makhan etc which are prepared using ghee.
“This year preparations have been made to provide devotees with free food and clean water. Ambulances and the fire brigade are on call and Red Cross, Scout, Guide and our volunteers will be on duty to manage crowds so that everyone can have darshan without problems. Barricades with covers have been put up so that people can escape the sun,” Seva Niyog member Dibakar Mohapatra said.
So this year Anla Navami and Radha Pada Darshan are going to be a pleasant experience for devotees.
