In a quiet corner of Jagannath Puri, amid the usual hum of chants of “Jai Jagannath” and “Jagannath Mahaprabhu” and the shuffle of countless devotees, something quietly extraordinary happened recently. A son carried his mother on his back as they completed the sacred Parikrama, the ritual walk around the temple.
It wasn’t flashy. People stopped, stared, and some even grabbed their phones to capture it. And now, that moment is making hearts melt all over social media.
The heartwarming video was shared by The Atmann India. The video went viral almost instantly. Comments poured in from viewers sharing their own memories of caring for aging parents, and others reflecting on how little we often notice the quiet ways people show love. “Yese video dekh ke dil khush ho jata hai,” says one user. “Kalyug ka shravan kumar,” writes another user.
The mother couldn’t have made the Parikrama on her own. Age and frailty had slowed her down, but instead of leaving her behind or looking for some alternative, her son simply lifted her up and started walking. Step by step, he made sure she could finish her spiritual journey. And while carrying someone on your back is physically demanding, the emotional weight of the act was even heavier. Those who saw it say they felt more than just devotion to God, they felt devotion to family, respect, care, and duty all rolled into one.
Jagannath Puri sees lakhs of devotees every year, each here to pray, to vow, or to seek blessings. Watching that son walk with his mother on his back brought alive the old saying, “Matru Devo Bhava”, treat your mother like God. Matru Devo Bhava isn’t about religion or ritual, it is about love, care, and respect in its purest form. And it’s a reminder that our mothers deserve patience, kindness, and attention, not just words. Showing up, supporting them, and valuing their presence is how we live this saying every day.
