Devotees serve dishes to Lord Jagannath and His siblings during the Byanjan Dwadashi at the Gourabihar Ashram in Puri. Pictures by Sarat Patra

Puri, Dec. 20: A royal treat of more than 400 dishes was offered to the divine trio — siblings Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra — on the occasion of Byanjan Dwadashi held in Puri last Saturday.

The deities were served a lavish platter and the ceremony observed at the Gourabihar Ashram was an extravagant affair. Byanjan Dwadashi is observed on the 12th day of the bright lunar phase of the month of Margashirsha of the Hindu calendar.

The day is celebrated in Puri in a grand way at various temples, mathas and ashrams. The Gourabihar Ashram is particularly famous for the way it celebrates the occasion by offering a sumptuous treat to the divine siblings.

“It is believed that Yashoda used to prepare hundreds of dishes for Lord Krishna on this day. Following tradition, hundreds of devotees of Lord Jagannath in Puri come together to prepare a large variety of dishes for Byanjan Dwadashi,” said Subala Maharaj of the Gourabihar Ashram. As many as 421 dishes were prepared at the Ashram on the occasion, which were then served to Lord Jagannath and his siblings as well as Radha and Krishna. The dishes included a number of preparations made of rice, pulses and vegetables.

“The devotees and members of the ashram prepared 16 varieties of anna (rice), 12 types of kheer, 15 varieties of dishes made of pulses, 53 varieties of fried vegetables, 18 preparations of leafy vegetables such as spinach and many varieties of sweets and sour dishes,” said Subala Maharaj.

After offering the dishes to the deities, devotees who had flocked to the ashram to help and participate in preparing the items partook the prasad.

“Byanjan Dwadashi is a special festival signifying the love of mother Yashoda for Krishna. So we make sure that our family attends this together every year since it is believed that sharing this prasad makes relationships stronger,” said Bhabani Tripathy, a devotee. Every year, more items are added to the menu added Subala Maharaj.