Sarsapurs Rasodas for Jagannath Puri devotees
Reference: Ahmedabad Mirror.com – The residents of Saraspur, the mosal (maternal place) of Lord Jagannath, are all geared up to host one of the biggest religious events in the city — the 134th Rath Yatra. The locality, with a population of about 50,000, has been feeding the devotees accompanying the procession since time immemorial. This year, as the yatra falls on a Sunday, organisers are expecting a huge turnout of devotees.
“Saraspur has an important part to play in the city’s Rath Yatra tradition. When the yatra started, the mahants of both Jagannathji temple and Ranchhodraiji temple were gurubhais – they both were trained by the same guru. Thus began the tradition of the yatra halting at Saraspur for lunch,” Lakshmandasji, mahant of Ranchhodraiji temple said.
Just like all previous years, residents of Saraspur are ready to serve lunch to the devotees of Lord Jagannath, food inflation and fuel price rise notwithstanding. A member of the Luhar Sheri Yuvak Mandal said, “Saraspur has the blessings of Lord Jagannath. Food inflation and price rise don’t affect us. We will organise the bhandaras just like we have been in all these years.” Residents of 10 pols in Saraspur are organising ‘rasodas’ (kitchens) to serve food to the worshippers.
Pols and the fare
This year the Ranchhodrai Mandir at Nani Vasan Sheri will serve 300 kg dal, 500 kg rice, 100 kg puri, 400 kg dudhi-chana subzi, 500 kg undhiyu, 150 kg giloda subzi, 400 kg bundi laddoos and 400 kg phulwadi for about 25,000 people.
The Gopalji Ramji Mandir in Moti Salvivad ni Pol is organising a bhandara for another 25,000 devotees. According to mahant Mahamandaleshwar Akhileshwar Dasji, the 300-year-old temple has been been organising the feast for past 100 years. This year the temple will make about 100 kg of dal, 300 kg of rice, 1,000 kg of bundi laddoos, 1,000 kg phulwadi, 200 kg dudhi-potato subzi and 200 kg chana.
“The bhandaras started work on June 30. Several saints and yogis from across India come here to pay their respects to the lord. We also give dakshina to all of them,” said the mahant.
The locals of Moti Salvivad ni pol have organised another bhandara. This is the seventh year that Janak Patel is organising the rasoda. They will serve 1,500 kg laddoos, 1,300 kg puris, 1,600 kg potato curry, 1,200 kg phulwadi and 30,000 water pouches. The food will be served buffet style and in steel plates.
- At Gandhi ni Pol, Narendra Panchal has organised a bhandara for 7,000 devotees. On menu is 400 kg bundi ladoos, 400 kg puris and 400kg potato subzi. Anil Patel’s rasoda at Limda ni Pol will offer 700 kg puris, 900 kg potato subzi and 250 kg bundi ladoos. An estimated 9,000 devotees will have their lunch here.
Kadiawad’s Kadia Yuvak Mandal will serve 400 kg khichdi and 400 kg potato subzi. Luhar Sheri’s yuvak mandal will be preparing 1,000 kg mohanthal, 1,000 kg puris and 1,000 kg potato subzi for over 20,000 devotees. Rajubhai Madi of Amblivad will make mohanthal, phulwadi, potato subzi and puris for 7,000 devotees.
At Panchavad, 65-year-old Kantaba, the great grand daughter of Rudima who started the tradition of bhandara here, is managing the rasoda. She will be offering 150 kg puris, 200 kg potato subzi, 150 kg bundi ladoos to 5,000 people.
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