Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 : 5 secrets of Jagannath Dham, Mythology & Construction

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 : The world famous Rath Yatra will be taken out on 7th July. This year, there are auspicious and rare coincidences like Pushya Nakshatra, Harshan Yoga, Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga and Shivavas on the Rath Yatra.

The Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 will continue from 7th July for the next 10 days. That is, the yatra which started on 7th July will continue till 16th July 2024. It starts every year from the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashadha. The Rath Yatra starts from the Jagannath temple in Puri and concludes on the 11th day of the Shukla Paksha of Ashadha month.

In the temple of Lord Jagannath, the idols of the God are changed after 12 years. After which wooden idols are installed. While changing the idols of the God, the electricity of the city is cut off. During this time, only the priest is allowed to enter the temple (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Mantra Jaap

ॐ पधाय श्रीजगन्नाथाय नम:
ॐ शिखिने श्रीजगन्नाथाय नम:
ॐ देवादिदेव श्रीजगन्नाथाय नम:
ॐ अनंताय श्रीजगन्नाथाय नम:
ॐ विश्वरूपेण श्रीजगन्नाथाय नम:

Importance of Jagannath Rath Yatra

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: Explaining the importance of Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra, Skanda Purana states that the person who goes to Gundicha Nagar chanting the name of Lord Jagannath during the Rath Yatra, is liberated from the cycle of rebirth.

The magnificent temple of Lord Jagannath, who is called Jagat Ke Nath, is the biggest pilgrimage place for the people belonging to the Vaishnav tradition. Every year lakhs of people reach this abode of faith to participate in the Rath Yatra.

The Jagannath temple located in Odisha is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Shri Krishna, as the Vaikunth form of the earth.

It is believed that this mythological temple of Puri is very old. The history associated with this temple is quite surprising. There is a religious belief that the heart of Lord Krishna still beats in the idols of the Jagannath temple.

In the Sanatan tradition, the Jagannath temple is considered the biggest pilgrimage place of the Vaishnav tradition. Every day thousands of pilgrims from the country and abroad reach this place of faith to have darshan of Lord Jagannath.

This temple of Puri is dedicated to Lord Krishna, but there he is known as Jagannath Dham. In this temple of Puri, one of the four major pilgrimages associated with Hinduism, one can have darshan of the idol of Lord Jagannath along with his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

5 Secrets of Jagannath Puri Temple

• It is believed that 7 vessels are placed one above the other to cook Prasad in the Jagannath temple, in which the Prasad of the vessel placed on the top gets cooked first, while the Prasad gets cooked one after the other from the bottom side. Which is surprising in itself.
• It is believed that during the day in the temple, the wind blows from the sea towards the land. While in the evening, the wind blows from the land towards the sea. The flag placed on the peak of the Jagannath temple always flutters against the wind.
• It is believed that the height of the Jagannath temple is about 214 feet. In such a situation, the shadow of animals and birds should be formed, but the shadow of the peak of this temple is always missing.
• No airplane ever flies above the Jagannath temple located in Puri, nor does any bird sit on the peak of the temple. This has not been seen in any temple in India.

• In the temple, all the three idols including Lord Jagannath are replaced every 12 years. After which new idols are installed there. When the idols of the deity are changed, the electricity supply of the city is cut off. Along with this, heavy security forces are deployed outside the temple. During that time, only the priest is allowed to enter the temple.

Char Dham Yatra by Shree Hari

According to mythology, when Lord Vishnu settled in the four Dhams, he first reached Badrinath, where he took a bath, then after this when he went to Gujarat, he changed his clothes there. Next, the Lord reached Puri in Odisha, where he had food and finally Lord Vishnu reached Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu, where he rested. Jagannath Puri, which is called Vaikunth of the earth in Hinduism, is considered to be of very special importance. Here Lord Shri Krishna, Subhadra and Balram ji are worshipped daily with rituals (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Ancient belief related to Puri

​​It is believed that when Lord Vishnu ji left his body and was cremated, his entire body merged into the five elements except one part of the body. It is said that Lord Shri Krishna’s heart was beating at that time, which is still safe inside the idol of Lord Jagannath (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Special method of Puri Prasad

The Prasad available in Jagannath Puri is called Mahaprasad, it is said that a special method is used behind this. The specialty of this Prasad is that it is made in earthen pots only, apart from this, this Prasad is not prepared on gas but on a girl’s stove. When the Prasad is prepared, the pots are kept one above the other (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Airplanes and birds do not fly over the Temple

It is believed that the Jagannath Puri temple is protected by the Garuda bird. This bird is called the king of birds, which is why other birds are afraid to fly over the temple. Interestingly, there is an eight-metal circle above the Jagannath Temple Puri, which is known as the blue chakra. It is believed that this chakra can create many obstacles to the ships flying over the temple, so even aircraft do not fly over the Temple (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Entrance of the Temple

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 : You may have often seen one or two doors in a temple, but the Jagannath Puri temple has four doors. The main gate is called Singhadwaram, it is said that the sound of sea waves can be heard at the Singhadwaram gate, but the sound of waves disappears completely as soon as you enter the temple.

Mythology of Jagannath Dham

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 : The mythology surrounding Jagannath Dham, particularly centered around Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Krishna), is rich and deeply rooted in Hindu tradition.

Origin and Legend:

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 : According to legend, Lord Jagannath is said to be an incarnation of Lord Krishna, along with his siblings Balarama and Subhadra. They are worshipped together in the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, India.

The Legend of Ratha Yatra:

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 : One of the most famous aspects of Jagannath Dham is the annual Ratha Yatra (chariot procession). It is believed that Lord Jagannath, along with Balarama and Subhadra, steps out of the temple in grand processions to visit the Gundicha Temple, which is located some distance away.

The procession symbolizes the journey of Lord Jagannath to bring back his devotees, with the chariots representing the human body and the temple as the abode of the divine.

The Story of Nilamadhava:

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 : Before the establishment of the Jagannath Temple, there was a deity named Nilamadhava worshipped by the tribal king Viswavasu. The king once found Lord Jagannath as a log floating in the sea and brought it to his palace. But he was instructed by Lord Jagannath in a dream to give the log to the king of Puri.

Construction of Jagannath Temple

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024 : The construction and history of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, India, are steeped in legend and historical accounts that blend mythological elements with architectural prowess.

According to mythology, the Jagannath Temple in Puri is ancient, dating back thousands of years. It is believed to have been originally built by Lord Vishwakarma, the divine architect of the gods, at the command of Lord Brahma.

Architectural Development:

The current temple structure has evolved over centuries. It is said that King Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty started the construction of the present temple in the 12th century. Historical records indicate that subsequent rulers and dynasties, including the Ganga dynasty and the Suryavamsi Gajapati Kings, contributed significantly to its construction and renovation (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Construction of Jagannath Temple

Architectural Style:

The Jagannath Temple is a significant example of Kalinga architecture, characterized by its pyramid-shaped roof (deul) and intricate carvings on the walls and pillars. The temple complex covers a vast area and includes several shrines and structures dedicated to different deities (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Renovation and Patronage:

Over the centuries, various rulers, especially those of the Ganga and Gajapati dynasties, played pivotal roles in the temple’s maintenance and expansion. They also facilitated the rituals and festivities associated with Lord Jagannath, contributing to the temple’s cultural and religious significance (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Iconic Features:

The temple is renowned for its towering spire (Shikhar) and the sacred flag known as ‘Dhvaja’. The main shrine houses the idols of Lord Jagannath (Krishna), his elder brother Balabhadra, and their sister Subhadra. These idols are made of wood and replaced every 12 to 19 years during a ritual known as Nabakalebara (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Spiritual:

The Jagannath Temple is considered one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites for Hindus and attracts millions of devotees annually, especially during festivals like Rath Yatra (chariot festival).

Cultural and Religious Legacy:

The Jagannath Temple stands not just as a religious center but also as a symbol of cultural heritage and architectural brilliance. Its construction and ongoing maintenance reflect the deep-rooted devotion and patronage of successive rulers and devotees over millennia, making it a revered site in Hinduism and a testament to Odisha’s cultural richness (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Jagannath Temple

Jagannath temple located in Odisha is one such temple which people come to visit from far and wide. This temple is considered heaven since ancient times. It is said that Lord Vishnu incarnated here in the form of Purushottam Neelamadhava. This is the reason why this temple has been included in the four Dham pilgrimage sites (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Therefore, lakhs of people visit Odisha every year to get the blessings of Lord Jagannath and take advantage of the darshan of Jagannath Puri temple. But do you know the history of this temple? If not, then let us know how it was built.

The temple was built in the 12th century by the famous king Anantavarman Chodaganga of the Ganga dynasty. However, unlike many Hindu temples around the world, non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the Lord Jagannath Temple. According to legend, the king once had a vision of Lord Jagannath in his dream. The dream asked the king to find the cave and install the idol (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Specialty

You will be surprised to know that it took about 14 years to build this temple. However, the wooden idols of Balabhadra, Jagannath and Subhadra installed in the temple were also reconstructed in 1863, 1939, 1950, 1966 and 1977.

It is said that this temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Jagannath is seated in this temple with his brother Balaram and sister Subhadra. The surprising thing is that the flag on the top of the temple always flutters against the wind.

The structure of this temple is spread over about 400,000 square feet. A chakra and a flag have also been installed on its peak. Both of these have special significance. The Sudarshan Chakra and the red flag symbolize Lord Jagannath’s presence inside the temple. This chakra made of ashtadhatu is also called Neelchakra.

The temple has four chambers named Bhoga Mandir, Nath Mandir, Jagmohan and Mandir. The temple complex is surrounded by a wall with gates on each side. Overall, the temple is very beautiful, which will be a pleasure to see (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

Interesting facts related to the temple

• It is believed that we can see the Sudarshan Chakra placed on the top of the temple from anywhere.
• It is said that no bird or plane can fly from above.
• It is said that the Prasad made for the devotees in this temple never falls short.
• The flag located on the peak of the Jagannath temple always flutters in the opposite direction of the wind. The flag placed on the top of the Jagannath temple is a unique exception to the principle.

Conclusion

Jagannath Dham, also known as Puri Jagannath Dham, holds significant religious and cultural importance in Hinduism, particularly within the Vaishnavism tradition. Located in the state of Odisha, India, it is one of the four sacred pilgrimage sites (Char Dham) for Hindus (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).

The main attraction of Jagannath Dham is the Jagannath Temple, dedicated to Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Vishnu), along with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. The temple is famous for its annual Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, where the deities are ceremonially placed on grand chariots and pulled through the streets by devotees.

The conclusion of Jagannath Dham can be summarized as a place of deep spiritual devotion and vibrant cultural heritage. It serves as a symbol of unity and faith, drawing millions of pilgrims and tourists alike each year to witness its rituals, traditions, and the divine presence of Lord Jagannath and his divine siblings (Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024).