Daily Pioneer
PURI, INDIA, August 2, 2003: The crowds pouring into Puri for the rath yatra are thronging the beach to view the 10-foot sand chariot crafted by famous sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik. Apart from being Patnaik’s personal tribute to the three deities of the historic Jagannath temple who make their annual journey to their aunt’s house in July, the creation has brought alive the legend of Balram Das, the author of Dandi Ramayana. The legend says that the temple priests once denied Balram Das the honor of paying his respects to the Deities seated on Their chariots during the yatra. Saddened, Das, known for his devotion to Lord Jagannath went to the seashore and crafted three chariots out of sand and began worshiping the Deities there. The Deities were so pleased with his devotion that They abandoned Their chariots waiting to roll on the Grand Road outside the temple and seated Themselves on the sand carts carved out by Das. Bereft of the Deities, the raths at temple gate refused to budge, much to the disappointment of the assembled crowd and the king. Later in the night the king had a vision where the Lord explained to him the reasons for the fiasco. The repentant king made amends and since then Balram Das has remained part of Orissa’s folklore.