We recall Srila Prabhupada being on two occasions in Bhubaneswar. The first time is in 1920 before his manifested lila, the other is in the beginning of 1977 when Srila Prabhupada came from the Allahabad Kumbha-Mela in a poor state of health. Srila Prabhupada would stay for 17 days in a hut Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja made for him. Although arrangements were being made for Srila Prabhupada to stay in The State Guest House, Srila Prabhupada at once rejected this proposal, saying that he would stay only where his dear disciple child Gour Govinda had build a mud hut for him.

On Lord Nityananda’s appearance day Srila Prabhupada laid the Foundation Stone for the upcoming temple. This was his last founded project. Srila Prabhupada predicted that one day the temple on the isolated property would be one of the best ISKCON centers in the world and would be situated in the heart of the city. Srila Prabhupada also instructed Gour Govinda Maharaja to translate his books into the Orissan language and to travel and preach to devotees around the world. At that time, while planting his walking stick three times in the soil of the property at Bhubaneswar Srila Prabhupada spoke that although the pure devotee leaves his mercy everywhere, he was especially leaving his mercy here in Bhubaneswar with Sri Srimad Gour Govinda Swami Maharaja.

The lecture Srila Prabhupada gave on Lord Nityananda Prabhu’s Avirbhava, Appearance Day in Bhubaneswar , February 2, 1977. .................................. Read Here

The lecture cum speech by Srila Prabhupada at the Foundation Stone Ceremony in Bhubaneswar, February 2, 1977. .................................................................. Read Here

The excerpt from a Morning Walk, January 20, 1977 in Bhubaneswar. ....... Read Here

The following is an excerpt from a room conversation on Jan. 19, 1977 in Bhubaneswar with Gargamuni and Ramesvara Maharajas and Hari Sauri Prabhu were Srila Prabhupada speaks about his first visit to Bhubaneswar.
Prabhupada: In 1920 I came to Bhubaneswar. So I was thronged with so many beggars. So at that time I promised, “If I bring at least”—in those days—“more than one thousand rupees to distribute to the beggars, then I shall come. I’ll not come.” (laughs) I thought like that. Means whatever money I had I will distribute. Still, they are thronging, the beggars. So much beggars have now come. Beggars. Very poor country.

Excerpts of Srila Prabhupada`s pastimes in Bhubaneswar and Jagannatha Puri Dhamas can be read in the Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita, Chapter 51, entitled ‘Chant Hare Krishna and Fight’.

Excerpts of Srila Prabhupada's early attraction for Jagannatha and his desire to visit Puri Dhama and of his first vistit to Jagannatha Puri Dhama in 1920 (when he also visited Bhubaneswar) can be read in the Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita, respectively Chapter 1 entitled ‘Childhood’ and chapter 2 entitled ‘College, Marriage and Gandhi’s Movement.

The following is a statement made by Srila Prabhupada about the situation in Jagannatha Puri from TKG’s Diary, Prabhupada's Final Days, February-April 1977, April 29.
I asked Prabhupada whether we should file a case against the pujaris of the Jagannatha temple in Puri, but Prabhupada didn’t like the idea. “We will go on in our own way. I never cared for others. We are not kanistha-adhikaris that Jaganatha is only sitting there. We have hundreds of Jagannatha temples.”