It was a proud moment for Biswanath Mishra, who served Lord Jagannath Odisha's popular poda pitha when his chariot stopped at the Mausi Maa temple on its way back from Gundicha temple to the Shree Mandir on the bahuda today.

Poda pitha is the state's most popular sweet made of rice, jaggery, coconut and lentils. It is a tradition for Lord Jagannath to stop at the Mausi Maa temple during bahuda yatra and have a bite of poda pitha before returning to his abode.

There is an interesting history behind the making of this particular poda pitha, which has been prepared by Biswanath and his family for generations.

Biswanath told The Telegraph that his forefathers had started the ritual that he is now carrying forward. He plans to confer the responsibility to his successors after him. "We are very proud to be selected by the temple administration for the job. It is indeed a privilege to say that the Lord ate the sweets made by us," said Biswanath.

He said they prepare the poda pitha in a similar way as other people. However, the sweet made by his family never go waste and has never got lost during the preparation process. Biswanath said they prepare the sweet at a secret place.

Devotees also enjoy the Lord's halt at the Mausi Maa temple for this ritual as the sweets, after being served to Jagannath, is distributed among his devotees.

"I came here all the way from Rayagada to witness the rath yatra and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath. I had a bite of the poda pitha at Mausi Maa Temple after it was served to the Lord. I feel blessed to have this opportunity," said Biraja Nayak, a homemaker.

Legend has it when Bharat of the Ramayan accused his mother Kaikeyi of forcing Lord Ram to go to the forest, she felt guilty and cried. To pacify her, Ram promised that in his next birth, he would visit her house and have pora pitha. Since then, the Mausi Maa temple is considered that of Kaikeyi who serves the sweet to Lord Jagannath.