Bhubaneswar: The pilgrim city of Puri celebrated Byanjana Dwadashi, a special festival dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna, with great enthusiasm on Sunday.
The festival, specially celebrated at Goura Vihar Ashram in Puri, witnessed a massive congregation of devotees to relish the different kinds of dishes as Prasad. The festival, which falls on the 12th day of the waxing phase of the moon in the month of Margashira, showcases the importance of nutrition in traditional Indian culture.
As part of the celebrations, 851 traditional dishes, including different types of cakes, dal, curries, rice, and desserts, were prepared and offered to Radha and Krishna. All the delicacies were prepared a day before the festival. Around 40 women were engaged in making the food items for the Lords.
“Byanjana Dwadashi is a special festival of the devotees of Radha Krishna. The tradition has been continuing since time immemorial. With the inspiration of devotees, this Ashram has been celebrating the special occasion for the last 30 years. Like every year, hundreds of dishes were prepared, which were offered to Radha Krishna,” said Subala Maharaj, Mahanta of Goura Vihar Ashram, Puri. Hundreds of devotees gathered to partake in the prasad and celebrate the festival.