The Department of Posts has issued a commemorative postage stamp to mark the 1009th birth anniversary of Mata Karma, honoring her spiritual legacy and enduring devotion.

Mata Karma Bai: The Devotee Saint

• Mata Karma Bai, also known as Karma Devi, was a revered 11th-century saint and ardent devotee of Lord Krishna, born in 1017 AD in Jhansi, present-day Uttar Pradesh.

• She is celebrated for her unflinching devotion and humility, and is best known for her simple yet profound act of offering khichdi (a rice-lentil dish) to Lord Krishna as a symbol of pure love and service.

• Her devotion has transcended centuries and lives on through religious customs, most notably the ritual offering of khichdi at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, where it remains an integral part of temple traditions.

?? Jagannath Temple, Puri: A Sacred Connection

• The Jagannath Temple, located in Puri, Odisha, is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites and part of the Char Dham circuit, alongside Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram.

• The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, and was initiated by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the 12th century. It was completed in 1230 AD under King Anangabhima Deva III.

• It is renowned as ‘Yamanika Tirtha’, believed to be the place where the god of death, Yama, has no jurisdiction — symbolizing spiritual liberation.

• Built in Kalinga architectural style, the temple is adorned with the Aruna Stambha, a majestic pillar originally from the Konark Sun Temple, which now stands at the eastern entrance.

• The temple is internationally famous for the annual Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival), during which the deities are ceremoniously paraded in grand wooden chariots through the streets of Puri, attracting millions of devotees.