Rajkumar Mohanty
Puri: Devotees deprived of darshan of Lord Jagannath in the 12-century-old temple at Puri as the deities reclined to sick room after Snan Purnima are rushing to Brahmagiri, 23 kilometers away from Puri to offer prayers to Alarnath Dev.
Besides the darshan of Alarnath Dev, distribution of tasty Kheer at Alarnath temple attracts scores of pilgrims.
Brahmagiri as the name is self-explanatory is considered a sacred place of Brahma. The rulers of Alwar of Rajasthan had established the temple, which
was later named after the rulers as Alwarnath or Alarnath.
Though there was no description about time and the date of the construction of the temple the place in history book, the temple became famous following Sri Chaitanya Dev's visit in 1610 A.D. Chaitanya had written in volumes highlighting the sacredness of the place and the temple.
The saint had claimed that he had visualised manifestation of the lord Jagannath in Alarnath. Historians say Chaitanya had camped there for a quite long period worshipping the deity.
Every day hundreds of devotees rush to the temple to have darshan of Jagannath in ‘Alarnath'. The tasty holy Kheer is an added attraction.
The "Kheer" is prepared with buffalo milk, which blended with other ingredients and flavour. Every day over ten thousand liters of milk is used to meet the demand of the devotees.
Doors of Alarnath temple are opened for devotees till late hours
everyday. Seeking blessings of the Lord, many noted singers and artists present first copy of their new compositions at a podium.
