Lord Jaganatha's Black Jasmine

King Bibhisan, brother of demon Ravan in Tretaya Yuga was a great devotee of Ayodhya king Ramachandra. After killing Ravan, when Ramachandra was preparing to leave Srilanka by Puspakabiman at the request of Bibhisan and at this critical moment, tears came to eyes of Bibhisan. He said to Ramachandra "Oh, Lord when I surrendered to you, promised me all protection and assured me to get rid of the bondage, sufferings of this world by seeing to your lotus feet daily. Now it will not at all be possible for me to have Darshan daily of your feet". Smilingly Ramachandra replied "Bibhisan, you worship and pray Lord Jagannath daily who resides very close to Mahodadhi and you will see my presence within Him."

From that day he became a great devotee of Lord Jagannath. Bibhisan daily comes to get Darshan of Lord Jagannath. One day after completion of worship to Lord Jagannath, Bibhisan requested Lord to pay his kind visit to Lanka so that he would feel himself fortunate. Lord Jagannath could not refuse the request of his devotee. One day Lord decided to go to Lanka and on the way he met His great devotee Balaram Das and as soon as Balaram Das heard from Lord that he was going to Srilanka he prayed Lord to go to see Lanka. Accepting his request, Lord offered Balaram to carry a narrow-necked golden water jug and asked to follow Him. In Lanka Garh, Bibhisan welcomed Lord Jagannath with great ovation with Balaram Das and offered garland of rare species of black jasmine flower, pearl and worshiped the Lord.

After blessing Bibhisan, Lord returned to Srikshetra and left Balaram Das in his Matha. As Balaram Das was overwhelmed with this unexpected incident he had forgotten to return the golden water jug to Lord Jagannath. In the next morning, when the golden jug was not found in the temple, it was reported to the king Prataprudra Dev and Balaram Das heard this news. He immediately went to the temple and returned the golden jug to Panda who was on duty. The king warned the stainless saint Balaram Das for this act of stealing. But saint Balaram narrated the incident of previous night and the king hearing the incident rushed to temple and could not believe when he saw the garland of rare species of black jasmine, garland of pearl etc. with Lord Jagannath offered by Bibhisan. Tears came to his eyes and embracing Balaram Das the king begged for apology for blaming him.

The devotion of Balaram Das and Bibhisan is still alive. On the day of car festival, at the time of Pahandibije Lord Jagannath waits near Garudastambha at Natamandir of the temple facing towards south with the belief that Bibhisan offers his worship to Lord at that moment. This indicates how Lord Jagannath is dear towards His devotee.