Today was the tenth day of the ritual of my friend. I posted about the incidence in this post. On tenth day all the family members and relatives went and did the rituals at the same place where it started. And in the evening there was a prasad seva ( feast) inviting everyone. The prasad comes from a temple and they ordered it from the Jagannath Temple, Puri. That is why it's called Mahaprasad. You can read more about it in the link. The Mahaprasad is considered as supreme importance for us - so much so that, if a unknown person also offers, then we eat it. We consider, its a luck to get Mahaprasad to eat. We have not visited the Jagannath Temple since long, and it was a privilege to have Mahaprasad yesterday.
We reached a bit late, as I had some work. By that time, most of the guests had departed. Met Aunty and it was very heart breaking moment to see her like this. She looked very sad and exhausted. Death is the biggest truth of life, and we feel the pinch only when someone very near and dear goes through it. May god give him strength to pass this difficult time and move ahead with her two sons.
It's a custom to do some contribution to the family - and we did that. They will have to give new clothing to their relatives, who were part of these rituals, as a family member. One of our friend even shaved his head.
The Mahaprasad comes in earthen pots like this. Puri is like 60 km away so all this came in a transport with care. There are skilled people who also come along to serve this. We cannot serve it as they will break. If you do not know, its very interesting fact that, these earthen pots are placed over one another when they are cooked. But all of them cooks perfectly - call it a miracle of divine touch.
Even though, I usually take very light dinner, I could not resist eating The Mahaprasad to the maximum. They had ordered around seven different varieties and each one of them was so delicious.
And the sweet - after long time - grabbed as much as I could.
Before coming, we captured some moments with the great departed soul. My friend had packed some Mahaprasad for our families and insisted to take it, even though I was denying, as it was late. But it was good I brought - my mother loved it today so much considering herself to be lucky.
Sometimes, it feels like, death is nature's recycle process - the ultimate truth through which old goes away and new comes. Those who are lucky, do not suffer and live a great life and depart to the heavenly place without giving any trouble to family. But their memories remains forever......
