Jagannath Rath Yatra 2023: Jagannath Puri situated in Odisha is counted in Siddha Chardham. This place has special importance in the Hindu religion. This is because it is believed that Lord Shri Krishna resides here. That's why Jagannath Puri is also known as the 'Vaikunth of Earth'. The description of this special place and pastimes of Lord Shanilmadhav is also found in the Puranas. Because of this, the importance of this Dham increases even more.
Please tell that on the second day of Shukla Paksha of Ashadh month, Lord Jagannath sets out on a journey sitting on a huge chariot. This practice has been going on since ancient times and Rath Yatra is celebrated as a festival in Jagannath Puri Dham. On this auspicious occasion, along with Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Goddess Subhadra also come out of the temple and give to their devotees and go around the city to Gundicha temple.
The idols of the three brothers and sisters are wonderful.
Lord Jagannath, the preserver of the universe, resides in Puri Dham with his brother Balarama and sister Devi Subhadra. The idols of the three siblings installed here are carved out of the wood of the sacred tree and are worshipped. There is a law to change these idols after every twelve years. The unique thing is that the God idols installed in the sanctum sanctorum are half-built. Behind this also an interesting story is described.
Why were the idols of God left incomplete?
According to legends, King Indradyumna in the form of an old carpenter entrusted the task of building the idol to Lord Vishwakarma. Then Vishwakarma ji had placed a condition in front of the king that he would build idols in a closed room. It was also said that until these idols are made, no one can enter the room, not even the king. If someone comes into the room, he will leave the making of the idol. The king accepted this condition and Vishwakarma got involved in the making of the idols.
Every day King Indradyumna would stand outside the door listening to the sound and ensure whether the work of the idols was going on inside or not. One day there was no sound coming from inside, then the king realized that the carpenter had left the work. To see this, he opened the door of the room and as per the condition, at the same time, Vishwakarma left for heaven. Thus the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra remained incomplete. Even today God is present in the same form.
The idol of Lord Jagannath still beats
It is believed that when Lord Shri Krishna left his body and went to Vaikuntha Dham, his body was cremated in Puri by the Pandavas. Lord Shri Krishna's entire body had dissolved into the five elements, but his heart remained alive. Since then till today his heart has been kept safe in the idol of Lord Jagannath and it is believed that even today the heart of Lord Krishna still beats in the idol of Lord Jagannath.
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