PADMANAV KHUNTIA & LORD JANNATH , PURI

Puri SRIJAGANNATH Temple

DakhinaKali Temple entrance

ShyamaKali Temple entrance, Puri

ShyamaKali Mandira, Puri

Shani Deva

Padmanav Khuntia, a worshipper of Jagannath Temple, in the year 1902:

Padmanav Khuntia was a very humble sincere worshipper of Lord Jagannath. He used to return to his house at 2 A.M. after attending the last Pahuda Ceremony of the temple. It was his daily habit to bring from the temple used flowers and garlands. These he would later offer to local deities such as Mothers Dakshinakali, Shyamakali and Baseli. On his way home, he would throw petal to the smaller temples as he passed by.

However, one night he forgot to offer any to Shani Temple, the temple of planet Saturn. Suddenly he felt someone following him in the darkness. Dogs also barked and sensing the presence of some being Khuntia looked back. He saw only the head of someone, but not clearly visible. As if in a humble way, the voice requested, "Just a leaf of the garland used by Him, I am Shani! (the god of planet Saturn).

He vanished at high speed when only a leaf from the garland was presented to him. Khuntia stood dead still and speechless. Later on when he told his friends of this event, they said, "Khuntia, you are saved! He would have caused you many difficulties had he not been obliged. He is the planet Shani, who comes to Lord Jagannath, but usually in the disguise of a lame man or a one-eyed person or someone with a deformed body. You were lucky to meet him, but still we hope you will not meet him again!"