Monday 4 July 2011

Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, The Legend



Puri Jagannath ratha yatra is a huge festival that is celebrated at Puri in the state of Orissa, India. It annual festival of the most famous Jagannath temple of Orissa. It is also known as Car festival. It is observed on Dwitiya (the second day) of shukla pakshya (waxing cycle of moon) of Ashadh maas (June-July). In this article, we shall know a legend connected to the Ratha Yatra.


The Legend of Ratha Yatra
There are so many feelings behind Ratha Yatra celebrations. The legends connected to the yatra brings the real spirit to celebrate ratha yatra. There are several legends connected to Rath Yatra. The most famous legend is as follows:

Lord Jagannatha is Lord Krishna Himself. There is a story of Krishna killing Kamsa. Lord Krishna appeared as Son of Devaki and Vasudev. He had maternal uncle, Kamsa who was His enemy from His very birth. Kamsa played so many tricks to kill Krishna, but somehow it could not happen.
When Krishna grew older, Kamsa invited Krishna and Balarama to Mathura with intention of killing Them. The evil Kamsa sent his servant Akrur to get Them into his kingdom. Lord Krishna went to Mathura and killed Kamsa with His fists. Having defeating Kamsa, Lord Krishna gave “darshan” to the denizens of Mathura in a chariot with His sister Subhadra and brother Balaram. This divine ride of Krishna is celebrated as Rath Yatra.
Wonderful Forms of Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra

Once the queens of Dwaraka requested mother Rohini to narrate the pastimes of Krishna with Gopis while He resided in Vraj. Mother Rohini hesitated and finally she agreed to narrate after a lot of insistence.

As Rohini was narrating the pastimes, Subhadra devi was standing on the doorway to hear. Soon Krishna and Balarama joined her. All three of Them remained engrossed and stunned by hearing those transcendental loving exchanges. Upon hearing them, Their forms started melting. Their eyes started spreading and limbs started melting. They just could not know where They are standing.

Narada muni appeared at the site. Seeing the siblings standing like murtis, the great sage Narada prayed, “ May the three of You grant darshan in this manner forever.” And it is quality of Krishna that He grants whatever His pure devotee desires. Lord Krishna agreed to take worship in this wonderful form in the Jagannatha temple in Puri.


Celebrations with Spirit of Love
Rath yatra is celebrations of divine sentiment of Lord Krishna and His loving reciprocation with His devotees. By pulling the Ratha, devotees take great pleasure and feel the ecstasy of pure love. 

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