Baishi Pahacha By Pandita Daityari Odia Book

Baisi Pahacha is a mix of two words 'Baisi' and 'Pahacha'. In nearby Odia language 'Baisi' signifies '22' and 'Pahacha' signifies 'Step', so 'Baisi Pahacha' signifies '22 Stages'. These 22 stages found at the 'Simha Dwara', the Lion's entryway of Master Jagannath sanctuary, Puri. Subsequent to entering the Lions' door of the sanctuary, lovers need to climb these 22 sacred moves toward arrive at the second internal entryway (known as Baisi Pahacha Gumuta), in the wake of passing the second entryway they will arrive at the patio from where they can get into the fundamental sanctuary to see Ruler Jagannath.

According to belief, all sins of the devotees disappear who touch these steps even once, so devotees usually touch these 22 steps in hand while climbing them and also allowed their children to slowly roll over these steps from the top to the bottom in expectation of spiritual bliss. Pilgrims get a sense of fulfillment after putting a fleck of dust from the surface of these 22 steps on their forehead. Width of the middle 15 steps varies from 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 3 inches and the rise is 6 inches to 7 inches. The size of the remaining 7 steps is smaller in length and width. A black color stone known as 'Yama Shila' is engraved in the middle of the 3rd step. As per the belief, devotees must step on this stone while going up the steps because it frees themfrom 'Yama Danda' (Punishment of Yama, the God of death), ' but must not step on this stone on their way back since it will take away all the 'Punya' (values collected after visiting Lord Jagannath temple).

Various holy activities and rituals are performed on these 22 steps throughout the year, out of those 'Sradha' ritual is the most important one. Sradha is the annual Pinda Daana ritual of Hindus, a ritual in which food is offered to the ancestors, is usually performed on both sides of these 22 steps. The ancestral souls are believed to be satisfied by it. There is a small stone on the 7th step known as 'Pi