Why Nepal King still has power for offering Prayers at Puri Jagannath Temple?

As per tradition, Nepal king has the highest power for offering Prayers at Puri Jagannath Temple & special privileges of performing arati at Lord Jagannath atop the throne. He is a Foreign King but till now Puri king Gajapati Maharaja also don’t have that power for offering Prayers to Lord Jagannath atop of the throne.

History:-

This is an ancient history which is connected to Lord Jagannath First Nabakalebara. According to “Madalapanji” during the 8th century, the invasion of "Raktavahu" on the temple of Lord Jagannath is the first attack to Jagannath temple. After defeat Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra deities were taken away to Gopali village in Sonepur.

In the 9th century after coming of “Adiguru Shankaracharya” to Kalinga (old name of Odisha). Shankaracharya remarked Yayati as second Indradyumna and let him consecrate again Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra and Sudarshana deities. After 146 years Yayati built a new temple at Puri.

But as per Hindu tradition, Shaligrams (Fossil stone) were required for Balabhadra and Subhadra and other God and Goddess. So Shankaracharya suggested to Yayati to bring Shaligrams (Fossil Stone) from Nepal.

Nepal king Shankara Deva gave One Lakh Shaligrams and Kasturi(Musk) to Odisha king. Which is collected near the Gandaki River and history says that is the First Nabakalebara of Lord Jagannath which is only possible with the help of Nepal king. Till now when the king of Nepal visits Puri, he is granted special rights in the Jagannath Temple.

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