There was a monastery namely Delhi Balakram Das Matha beyond the sight of local people at the left side of Sri Gundicha Temple, Puri. Although there are numbers of monasteries in Puri, this is only monastery which runs under direct control of Sri Jagannath Temple administration. During past the establishment of the monastry was on an area of 12 Acre 20 decimal. But in the present Land settlement record, the monastery have only 3 acres 10 decemel Land. One Saint from Delhi had established this monastery. He got the Land from the king ( Gajapati ) as donation basis. Before 60 years the doweling rooms of the monastry had demolished. Only one small Jagannath Temple ( Hari Shankar Mandir ) is existence now. The wooden Sri Jagannath ( Patitapabana), five or 6 rounded Stone Salagrama, Siva Linga, Goddess Parvati, Ganesha Kartik, Hanuman are worshiped in the monastery. A big well is at the back side of Monastry. The monastry is under direct administrative control of Sri Jagannath Temple for Last 52 years.
Daily rituals like Mangala Arati is observed during early morning, the lunch once offered to the deities called Anna Bhoga. During evening Sandhya Arati and Bala Bhoga ( Dry Food) are being offered Lastly the sleeping rituals are being observed accordingly. One Servitor namely Dayanidhi Padhi of Kumbharapada was deployed for the purpose. After demise of Dayanidhi during the year 2007 his son is managing the rituals smoothly. During the last Nabakalebara of Sri Jagannath 2015, the Nabakalebara of deity of Delhi Balakaram Das Math has been observed along with renovation of old monastry. The entire expenditure had been borne by Sri Jagannath Temple Administration.
It is ascertained that the last Mahanta late Gopinath Das had not adopted his heir. After his death during the year 1936, the king take over the math to his direct control. Many years before the monastery was confined in a field, fifty coconut trees, a small temple along with two to three rooms. During the year 1972, the elephants deployed for Chandan Yatra and Ratha Yatra from Nandankanan weer accommodated at the this place. Nowadays no elephant is deployed for the above mentioned festivals.
Now a flower Garden created in the premises of Monastery – Temple namely Hari Shankar Flower Garden & Temple, As per decision taken by executive committee of Sri Jagannath Temple. A pilgrim lodge has been constructed in the premises of monastery.
Book Reference
Matha Parmpara
Dr Bhaskar Mishra
