Since Laddu Gopal is none other than the infant form of Lord Krishna who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and Lord Jagannath being a form of Lord Vishnu, anything that relates to Lord Vishnu relates to all of them.
The story behind the footprint on Lord Jagannath’s right arm dates back to when many great sages gathered at the bank of river Sarasvati to participate in the MahaYagya. All the could not decide that who out of the Trimurti, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma, was pre-eminent and to who they should offer the Pradhanta (Master) of the Yagya. After consenting with each other, it was decided that Maharishi Bhrigu will test and decide who out of the Trimurti was pre-eminent.
On being given the task, Maharishi Bhrigu first decided to test Lord Brahma. On reaching Brahmalok, Lord Brahma was reciting Vedas and was spending time with Lord Sarawati that he ignored the arrival of Bhrigu. Angry with disrespect, Maharishi Bhrigu cursed Lord Brahma that nobody will worship him in Kaliyug. To this day, there are a very few temples devotes to Lord Brahma.
Next he decided to test Lord Shiva. On reaching Kailash Parvat, Bhrigu was stopped by Nandi, the attendant of Lord Shiva. When asked for the reason for being stopped, Nandi said that Lord Shiva and Mata Parvati in the middle of a love making session. To this Maharishi Bhrigu got angrr and cursed Lord Shiva, for disrespecting a Brahmin, that he will be worshiped in the form of Linga. However, there is said to be a 400 years old statue of Lord Shiva in MahaMrityunjaya Temple in Kashi.
Lastly he visited Lord Vishnu. He entered Vaikunth Dhama without the permission of the Lord and found him resting on the Sheshnaga, the serpent devotee of Lord Vishnu. Maharishi called for him many times but Lord Vishnu was in deep meditative sleep. On getting no response from the Lord, he hit Lord Vishnu on the chest. The kick by Maharishi Bhrigu left a foot print on the Lord’s chest which is known as “Shri Vatsa”. Lord Vishnu smiling welcomed Maharishi and started massaging his foot asking if he had hurt his foot while kicking his chest. During this process Lord Vishnu destroyed the third eye of Maharishi Bhrigu which was on his foot, which symbolized his ignorance and ego. As soon as the third eye was destroyrd, Bhrigu felt his egotistical outburst with extreme pain and begged Lord Vishnu for forgiveness. Lord Vishnu forgave him. He then declared Lord Vishnu as the greatest among the Trimurti.
Goddess Laxmi, Lord Vishnu’s consort, who witnessed the whole incident did not like how her husband was treated. She cursed Maharishi Bhrigu that she will never visit a Brahmin’s house and that the Brahmins will always remain poor. On hearing this curse from Mata LaxmiBhrigu told her the true nature of his visit. Mata Laxmi that the curse cannot be taken back but whenever a Brahmin will worship Lord Vishnu, he would be liberated from the curse.
When the sages heard Bhigu’s report all opposed of the way Maharishi Bhrigu tested the Trimurti, disturbed that privacy and dared to curse the deities.
Only then Bhrigu realized that the best of merit was to remain free from egoism and vain pride. He begged for forgiveness from the Gods who were happy to bless him, seeing he has realized his mistake. Since then, the Trimurti have been the supreme owner of the Puranhuti and the devotee can offer the ahuti to the god of their devotion and choice.
