Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, Dec 11:

In an extravagant affair, as many as 555 dishes were offered to the deities of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on the occasion of Byanjan Dwadashi today at the Gourabihar mutt in Odisha’s holy town Puri.

Byanjan Dwadashi is observed on the 12th day of the bright lunar phase of the month of Margashira of the Hindu calendar. It is believed that on this day mother Yasoda used to prepare hundreds of dishes for Lord Krishna.

“Hundreds of devotees of Lord Jagannath came together and prepared these dishes at the mutt. This year 555 dishes were prepared and offered 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. After offering the dishes to the deities, it was served to the devotees,” said a priest of the mutt.

The special feature of Byanjan Dwadashi at Gourbihar mutt is that every year more items are added to the menu, he added.