Jagannath Puri Ratha Yatra
By: Shivani Kulkarni
The Story Behind the Festival
• Lord Jagannatha - Skanda & Padma Purana.
• Satya-Yuga: King Indradyumna & Queen
Gundica.
• Lived in ancient city of Avanti Nagari (Ujjain)
• Ujjain was where Krishna was taught by
Sandipani Muni.
• Everyone was very religious.
The Story Behind the Festival …
• Once pilgrims were talking about darshana
of four-handed Nila-Madhav.
• They said, “Whoever receives darshan of
Nila-Madhav will attain four-handed form and
become associate of Narayana in Vaikunta.”
• Soon this news came to the king.
• The king wanted to go to Nila-Madhav and
bring him to his kingdom
• But he did not know where to find him.
• He couldn’t ask the pilgrims because they
had already left.
Back To The Story …. King’s Search
• The king commanded Vidyapati, an intelligent son
of his priest, and others to search and find NilaMadhava
• They went in all the directions searching for NilaMadhava
• After 3 months, except Vidyapati, all other officials
and commanders had returned
• Vidyapati had gone to the east of India near the
Indian Ocean.
• Soon he reached a very beautiful village and
decided to stay there for a while. The villagers sent
him to the prominent leader, Visvavasu.
Back To The Story …. King’s Search
• Vidyapati lived in Visvavasu’s house for a while.
• Soon Vidyapati fell in love with the chief’s daughter Lalitha.
• Vidyapati noticed Visvavasu went to worship every day at a
mysterious far location
• Vidyapati became convinced the chief was worshipping a
beautiful deity of Lord Vishnu.
• For his mission to succeed, Vidyapati married Lalitha.
• He began to question his father-in-law, Visvavasu, about the
chief's daily outings, and asked to be taken to the secret spot.
• Visvavasu finally agreed to take Vidyapati there, on the
condition that he be blind folded.
• During the journey, Vidyapati marked the trail by dropping
mustard seeds that were given to him by his wife Lalitha.
The Story (cont.)
When they reached Vidyapati became
overwhelmed by the beauty of the deity
• Vidyapati left the village to return to the kingdom.
• Receiving the good news, the king marched to
the spot.
• There was no deity to be found there.
• King Indradyumna was very sad, and had
Visvavasu imprisoned as he began his return.
• After much devotion, Nila-madhav consoled the
king and assured him that he would be available
soon, in a different form.
•
The Story (cont.)
• The King Completed the temple…Then found a log
• Vishwakarma came to carry out the carving
• Told king that he would carve the deity in secret within
closed room – never to be opened.
• Days came and went
• 21st day the queen got curious…opened the door
• Found nothing except four partially done deities !
• A heavenly voice instructed the king on how to proceed,
name four figures Jagannath, Subhadra, Balarama and
Sudarshan.
• King Indradyumna prayed to Brahma to perform the
installation ceremony for the deities…
Gundica Temple in Jagannath Puri
• Gundica temple is located very near to the
Jagannath temple in Puri.
• Gundica temple represents Vrindavana
• The chariots go from Puri Jagannath
Temple to Gundica Temple
• Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra stay
there for 9 days during the Ratha Yatra.
• The temple is situated on the end of the
Bada Danda.
• It is built in Kalingan style by King
Indrayumna for his wife Gundica to honor
her devotion.
Krishna’s Reunion at Kurukshetra
• For solar eclipse Krishna went to Kurukshetra.
• Krishna thought Nanda Baba would also come.
• Nanda Baba found out about the trip.
• He gathered everyone & proceeded to Kurukshetra.
• Took personal items for Krishna like butter, etc.
• Was told that Yashoda & Nanda Baba were coming.
• Everyone was happy to see him. Everyone cried very,
very bitterly.
• Krishna went and sat on Yashoda’s lap. Seeing this
Devaki got jealous.
• Mother Rohini saw it and told Devaki to meet guests.
Gopies met Krishna at Kurukshetra
• Krishna then met the Gopis.
• Gopis asked him to come back to Vrindavana
because they missed the pastimes with Krishna.
• The Gopis mounted him on the chariot and tried to
pull His chariot towards Vrindavan.
What does Ratha Yatra mean?
• Signifies invoking Sri Krishna into
our hearts.
• Our heart is like a chariot, and we
pray to Krishna, "Please come and sit
in my heart.”
• This was how the gopis prayed to
him when he was at Kurukshetra:
“You should come and sit in our
hearts. Our hearts are Your
Vrindavan.”
Information on the Festival
• Month of June - July. This year it
will start on July 13
• 10 Days of festival : 3 deities are
taken through the streets of Puri.
• Approximately 45 ft. high and are
pulled by the pilgrims.
• The festival is also known as
Gundicha Jatra, Ghosa Jatra.
Video of Ratha Yatra Procession
Click here to run the video as a separate window..
!?!Quiz Time!?!
• Which Purana has the story of the appearance of Lord
Jagannatha given? (Name one)
Padma Purana
• What is name of King Indradyumna’s wife?
Gundica
• What are the other two names of the Ratha Yatra festival?
Ghosa Jatra, Gundica Jatra
• In which Yuga did king Indradyumna rule?
Satya Yuga
• How high are the Ratha carts?
45 ft high
• What sentiment one should have when pulling the Rathas?
To invoke Sri Krishna into our hearts.
References
• www.wikipedia.com
• The Origin of Ratha-Yatra : A compilation of
lectures by Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana
Maharaja
• Pictures from www.google.com
• http://jagannathguwahati.org/
story_of_nilamadhava_origin_of_t.htm
Thank You!
Thank You!
Hare Krishna!!!