Puri Bahuda Yatra 2024: Know The Connection Of Mausi Maa Temple & Poda Pitha With Lord Jagannath

Goddess Mausi Maa or Ardhasini Maa and Mausima Temple have a key role to play in Rath Yatra, the 9 day annual sojourn of the holy trinity. Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra stay at the Gundicha temple for 9 days during Rath Yatra and while returning, during the Bahuda, they halt near the Mausi Maa temple. The Taladhwaja Rath of Lord Balabhadra, Darpadalana Rath of Devi Subhadra and Nandighosha Rath of Lord Jagannath halt near the Mausi Maa temple near Balagandi square for a special treat. This special treat is a slice of ‘Poda Pitha’ made with special ingredients, spices and technique.This is one of the key traditions of the Bahuda Jatra wherein Goddess Mausi Maa lovingly serves the special Poda Pitha to the Holy Trinity upon their arrival at the temple. But why does Lord Jagannath stop by the Mausi Maa temple every year during his return to the Puri Srimandir to have this delicious Poda Pitha? The connection between Ardhasini Mausi Maa and Poda Pitha is age old. Earlier, when the Chariots of the Lords used to move from Singhadwara to Gundicha Temple, the bada danda was bisected by the Malini river, the area near Balagandi used to be filled with water. There was another Hathi Gadhua river close to it as well. When there were 6 chariots, the then Puri king had decided to bury the rivers. It is believed that, during the ‘pralaya period’ goddess Mausi Maa had soaked more than half of the river’s water. That’s how she got the name Ardhasini. Since then Lord Jagannath and goddess Mausi Maa share a special bond. Lord Jagannath has the habit of taking poda pitha made by goddess Laxmi, every day at the end of the meal. As she doesn’t accompany the holy trinity to Gundicha temple, he remains deprived of the poda pitha the entire time.Therefore, Goddess Mausi Maa waits for lord Jagannath during Bahuda Yatra to serve him poda pitha and remind him of the poda pitha made by goddess laxmi.