Kakatpur(କାକଟପୁର)

India / Orissa / Konark /
 village, taluka headquarter
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Tehsil Kakatpur, District Puri (Puri), Odisha, Bharat

Overwhelmed by the cheers of countless devotees on first day of Banajaga Yatra (journey to locate for neem trees for Nabakalebara) on Sunday, young priest Nutan Dasmohapatra was thrilled to resume the 49-day expedition to Kakatpur, 60 km from Puri, late on Monday.

Not only Nutan, but 100 other priests of the shrine's Daitapati Nijog, renewed their endeavour for the arduous barefoot trek, even as all eyes are on the locations to where the neem trees would be traced. After starting their journey from the Jagannath Temple on Sunday, the priests stayed overnight at the Jagannath Ballav mutt in the town.

Scores of devotees, well-wishers and family members of priests thronged the mutt. Some turned emotional as they will not be able to see the Daitapatis for the next one-and-a-half months. "It is difficult to express my feelings. I never expected such colourful processions and good wishes from devotees. Initially, I was skeptical whether I would be able to trek barefoot. Now, I am ecstatic," said Nutan.

To instill a sense of spiritualism among the young priests, who are on their maiden Banajaga Yatra, the seniors organized sankirtan programme at the mutt. Banagaja Yatra gave an opportunity to tourists to interact with priests and learn about the festival, which was last observed in 1996. The mutt, considered a favourite place of Jagannath, wore a bridal look. Though it had been languishing in neglect till recently, the tourism department renovated the site in view of Nabakalebara. "In 1996, the mutt was not in good shape. This time, the administration has made good arrangements," said Ramakrushna Dasmohapatra, a senior priest.
Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakatpur
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Coordinates:   20°0'6"N   86°11'53"E

Comments

  • maa mangala
  • jai maa tarini
  • have u ever seen MANGALA TEMPLE of kakapur which is a TANTRICK and specially knows as SHAKTI PITHA .
  • Mangala temple is famous for its popularity. One interesting fact is the head priest of Jagannath temple, Puri comes here every 12 years to seek the blessings and direction from the Goddess how and where to find the right Neem tree from which the body of all the Gods are to be made to be installed during Navakalebar (Deities leave their old body to get a new one, just like the human do).
  • jai maa mangala
This article was last modified 2 months ago