Puri, March 26: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida laid the foundation stone for the Lakshmi Temple and the renovation of the Shri Balram Das Gadi in the Vedpur Panchayat of the Gop Block on Wednesday. During the event, she expressed that the long-standing wishes of the people are finally coming to fruition.
She highlighted the significance of the poet-saint Balram Das, who is widely recognized for his contributions as a poet, saint, and devotee. His work, the Lakshmi Purana, clearly reflects themes of social reform, opposition to untouchability, and women’s empowerment. He was a key supporter of the Bhakti movement and one of the prominent members of the Panchasakha of the Bhakti era.
It is believed that through his devotion, Balram Das experienced divine visions of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Lakshmi at this sacred site, which is also referred to as ‘Gupta Shrikhetra.’
The Lakshmi Purana symbolizes Odia culture, tradition, and heritage. The Deputy CM further stated that this project will be developed at an estimated cost of around 28 crore rupees, significantly enhancing tourism potential in the area.
The Shri Balram Das Gadi is a revered shrine located in the village of Erabanga in the Puri district of Odisha. It is an important pilgrimage site associated with the tomb of the devotee poet Balram Das and the Gupta Shrikhetra he established. Balram Das was the senior-most saint-poet of the Bhakti era’s Panchasakha in Odia literature. His father was Somnath Mahapatra, and his mother was Mahamaya Devi.
He had served as a minister in the court of King Prataprudra Dev but renounced his royal duties after coming into contact with Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, fully embracing the path of devotion. He was a devoted follower of Lord Jagannath, and his most famous work, the Jagamohan Ramayana, is considered the first complete Ramayana in the Odia language.
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