Unveiling the Enigmatic Story of jagannath puri rath yatra: Mysteries and Legends Unraveled

We found out the secrets of the Puri temple and its smaller temples. Now, let\’s talk about how the Puri Jagannatha idol was revealed and installed. This story is pretty amazing, Jagannath puri Rath Yatra

In ancient times, there was a king named Indradyumna. The Puri temple already existed during his time, even mentioned in the Ramayana and Bhagavatham. The king wanted to build a grand temple to preserve his name forever. But he realized it needed a special idol, not just an ordinary one you find in other temples. He wanted to install the true form of God, not just a representation.

One night, God appeared in his dream and told him to go to a mountain called Neelachalam, where God had manifested in His true form, instead of an idol. This wasn’t a coincidence; God chose to appear in dreams like this. So, the king set out to find Neelachalam, but no one knew where it was. He sent four people, including a very determined Brahmin named Vidyapati.

Vidyapati went into the dense forest, leaving his horse behind, and went without food or sleep, driven by his sincere devotion. Eventually, he collapsed from exhaustion, and God appeared as a young shepherd to help him. Vidyapati continued his journey with the shepherd\’s guidance.

He met a woman named Lalitha, and they fell in love. She revealed that her father, Viswavasu, was connected to the secret of Neelachalam. Vidyapati and Lalitha got married, which was unusual in those days.

Lalitha eventually revealed that Neela Madhava, God in physical form, was hidden in a cave on the Neelachalam mountain. Vidyapati wanted to see God for himself and convinced her father to let him come along. Viswavasu agreed but blindfolded Vidyapati on the way.

When they reached the place, they found a sacred pond where a crow turned into a divine being. Vidyapati entered the pond, and there he saw the divine form of Swami, Neela Madhava, which was unlike any other idol. Lakshmi Devi was even seated on a lotus and seemed to move. Vidyapati was in awe.

Back in the city, King Indradyumna was eager to hear about Vidyapati\’s discovery. Vidyapati explained what he had seen and touched, and the king was overjoyed. He brought the wooden log that was Swami\’s form, but sculptors couldn’t carve it.

Finally, a sculptor named Anantha Maharana took up the task. He locked himself in a room for 21 days to work on it. When the sound of chiseling stopped, people got worried and opened the door. To their surprise, the sculptor had disappeared, and the idols were only partially carved, with unique features like large eyes and incomplete limbs.

Narada Maharshi explained that these idols held a special secret, and they should proceed with rituals and ceremonies as advised by Lord Brahma. Brahma also confirmed that the temple was indeed built by Indradyumna. Gala Madhava, the king of the region at that time, acknowledged the truth and left the temple. Swami, who had promised to reside in Gundicha\’s womb for nine days each year, continued to fulfill that promise during the Ratha Yatra.

Swami also granted special privileges to the Viswavasu lineage and Vidyapati\’s lineage, who were responsible for different temple services. This system shaped the way Puri Kshetram functions.

Jagannath Puri temple timings

Conclusion

So, this is the incredible story of how the Jagannath Puri rath yatra Puri Jagannatha temple came to be and the unique significance it holds.