Jagannath Mahaprasad Story

Sage Narada once wished to taste Lord Vishnu’s Mahaprasad and reached Vaikuntha. With deep devotion, he served Goddess Lakshmi for 12 years. Pleased with his service, Lakshmi offered him a boon, and Narada humbly requested to taste Lord Vishnu's Mahaprasad. This put Lakshmi in a dilemma because Lord Vishnu had forbidden her from giving Mahaprasad to anyone. However, wanting to honor her promise, she assured Narada she would find a way. Later, she explained the situation to Lord Vishnu. Though initially displeased, Lord Vishnu allowed her to give the prasadam to Narada in his absence. When Narada finally received the Mahaprasad, its mere touch amplified his spiritual energy and filled him with divine bliss. Overwhelmed with joy, Narada shared the news with Lord Shiva. Shiva asked, “Narada, you didn’t save even a morsel of such sacred prasadam for me?” Embarrassed, Narada realized he still had a small portion left and offered it to Shiva. Upon tasting the prasadam, Shiva was so overjoyed that he began dancing in divine ecstasy. Hearing the commotion, Goddess Parvati arrived and asked Shiva the reason for his dance. When Shiva narrated the entire event, Parvati grew upset, saying, “As your consort and a sister of Lord Vishnu, it is my right to taste his Mahaprasad. I vow that one day Vishnu’s Mahaprasad will be available to every being in the universe.” Moved by Parvati's words, Lord Vishnu appeared and promised, “O Devi, I will fulfill your vow. I will manifest in the holy land of Puri as Lord Jagannath and ensure that my Mahaprasad is accessible to all creatures.” To honor this promise, the tradition continues to this day. First, the Mahaprasad is offered to Lord Jagannath, then presented at the temple of Goddess Bimala (an incarnation of Parvati), and finally distributed among devotees.