PURI
The Abode of Lord Jagannath

KALPA VRIKSHA

Near the Mukha mandapa, there is an old Banyan tree standing to relate a strange story. It is believed that during the great Pralaya, Mahavishnu lying on a leaf of this tree floats on the water. He reveals Himself in the form of Bala Krishna to the sage Markandeya then. It is a wish-yielding tree; so barren women worship it for children. Sitting under its shade for a while, one feels relieved of the worldly cares together with the thoughts of sins. Devotees go round the tree touching its trunk and branches for emancipation. Some offer worship with 'Pramidas' bought from the stalls nearby.

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