In a startling incident that has shaken devotees and temple servitors alike, the alleged theft of 70 sacred modaks from the Jagannath Temple has drawn attention to one of the most revered rituals, the preparation and offering of the Dashamula Modak. These ayurvedic preparations, intended for Lord Jagannath and his siblings during a key recovery ritual, were reportedly found missing on the night of June 21.
The controversy centres around 313 specially prepared ‘amuniya modaks’ which were to be offered to the deities as part of the traditional Dasamula ritual. These modaks are not ordinary sweets but hold deep ritualistic and medicinal significance.
What is Dashamula Modak and How it is Prepared?
The Dashamula Modak is a sacred ayurvedic preparation made using ten different types of herbs and natural ingredients. These include Salabarni, Krushnabarni, Gokhara, Bela Patra, Gambhari, and various types of tree bark.
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The preparation is carried out by the Raj Vaidyas, or royal physicians, specifically for the divine recovery of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra after they are believed to suffer from fever following the Snana Purnima ritual.
On the 10th day or Dashami, the Raj Vaidyas prepare the modaks and store them in the Garada graha. Then, on the 11th day or Ekadashi, following the Chandan Sarbanga ritual, the Daitapati Sevayats collect the modaks and hand them over to the Patimahapatra servitors, who in turn offer them to the deities. It is believed that only after consuming the Dashamula Modak, the sibling deities recover from their illness and regain good health.
Missing Modaks Spark Alarm
According to Haldhar Dasmahapatra, the Badagrahi of Lord Balabhadra, a shortfall of 70 modaks was noticed before the offering could take place. These modaks, having been brought under strict security led by the temple's Commander, were stored safely in the ‘garada ghara’. Their disappearance has raised serious concerns and sparked a wave of outrage among devotees and temple authorities.
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While investigations into the theft are underway, the incident has drawn attention to the sanctity and meticulousness of the Dashamula ritual, a centuries-old tradition blending Ayurveda with temple service.