#583 - Tales of Lord Jagannath
by Ramendra Kumar and illustrated by Laxman Kumar Nayak
“Tales of Lord Jagannath” by Ramendra Kumar and illustrated by Laxman Kumar Nayak. Published by B.K.Publications. A fascinating anthology of stories associated with Lord Jagannath.
Lord Jagannath is an extremely important god in the ancient land of Odisha. The origin and evolution of worship of Lord Jagannath is steeped in mystery and legendary folk tales. Jagannath culture is not just a religious belief but also a way of living. The tales associated with Lord Jagannath are a treasure trove of myths, legends, history and folklore. These stories have been passed down generations mostly in oral form.
The book has ten timeless tales which portray magic, mystery, faith, devotion, courage, dedication as well as conviction. They are inspirational in nature and are associated with values which are relevant even in today’s world. From the story of how the Jagannath temple at Puri came to be, to the nature of the idols, to traditions followed during the world famous Puri Rath Yatra, to stories of some of the ardent devotees of Lord Jagannath, the book has it all. Read the enchanting book to get a glimpse into Jagannath culture and savour its mystical nature.
Serendipity is one of the foremost things that come to my mind when I think of this book. I had read about this book some years ago and added it to my wish list since I felt that my son was way too young for the book at that time. During the pandemic years, my son and I chanced upon a beautiful picture book called “The Secret God in the Forest” recommended by Vidya Mani of Funky Rainbow bookstore. We loved that book and it piqued our curiosity to know more about Lord Jagannath. This book by then was out of stock to my dismay for a long time. On one of our visits to Funky Rainbow last year, we saw that many of their books had been put up on sale after their annual stock keeping. I couldn’t believe my eyes for a minute when this book was right there. I picked it up immediately :D
When a last minute planned and long pending trip to Odisha materialised last month, I picked up this book to read it with my ten and a half year old son during the trip. As we managed to make it to the temple in Puri amidst the throng of devotees and witness their fervour and devotion, we were awestruck and mystified. This book was of great help for us to get a better understanding of the unusual culture and traditions of the temple and worship of Lord Jagannath. Narrated in simple language and style, the stories make for a great read for children as well as adults. Having worked in Odisha for many years, the author has been doing research on Jagannath consciousness and presented papers on it both in India as well as abroad. This gives the book an authentic touch.
Recommended Age
The book is apt for children aged 8/9 and above.