If you visited Ekamra Kshetra & did not savour the divine taste of Anant Basudev Anna, you missed out on something truly amazing - the emotional & spiritual connection between Anant Basudev Temple & Lingaraj Temple. It is also said that the Anant Basudev Temple has a historical connection with Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri. Like Darubrahma in Puri, the trinity is worshipped here at the Anant Basudev Temple as stone images, hence called Silabrahma.
The Anant Basudev Temple dates back to the period of Chandrika Devi, the daughter of Anangabhima III, during the reign of King Bhanudeva. According to Ekamra Chandrika, God Vishnu or Purushottama established himself as a doorkeeper in Ekamra Kshetra.
Thus, there’s a tradition of worshipping at this temple before bathing in the holy Bindusagar and entering the precinct. Remains of three smaller temples/shrines can be found in the complex. The traditional texts of Bhubaneswar, Ekamra Chandrika, Kapila Samhita, Shwarnadri Mahodaya and Ekamra Purana, say that the Anant Basudev temple houses stone images of Jagannatha, Balabhadra and Subhadra, jointly referred to as Silabrahma whereas similar images enshrined in Puri Jagannatha temple are referred to as Darubrahma.
Rosaghara is known as the traditional kitchen of the temple. The food is cooked by mahasuaras, a sect that has been given the charge since the temple came into existence. A particular kind of earthenware known as kodua is used for cooking. There is a well near the kitchen which meets the kitchen requirement throughout the year.
It is stated by many that the food, when taken to God for offering, has no smell, no aroma, but once God accepts the offering, the divine aroma fills the air. This means the food is blessed. This Maha Prasada is partaken by all devotees. In Brahma Purana, it is mentioned that “The Lord tastes and feasts the Maha Prasada through His devotees”.
Do you know the story behind it? Let us know in the comment section below.
Comments