Khushi RawatUpdated 07 Jul 2026 01:48 PM IST
Jagannath Puri is one of the four Dhams in India, which is situated in Puri, Odisha. Every year, the Jagannath Yatra begins with the chant of "Jai Jagannath", where chariots of Lord Vishnu (known as Lord Jagannath), with his elder brother, Lord Balram, and his sister, Goddess Subhadra, are featured. The Jagannath Rath Yatra begins on the Dwitiya Tithi of the Ashadh Shukla Paksha. This year, the Rath Yatra will begin on 16 July 2026.
The Jagannath Rath Yatra is one of the most popular festivals in the Hindu religion. This auspicious festival is celebrated in Puri, Odisha, and the Rath Yatra begins on the Dwitiya tithi of Ashadh Shukla Paksha. "Jagannath" means Jag ke Nath, which means the Lord of the Universe. The Jagannath Yatra involves a chariot procession (Rath Yatra) of Lord Jagannath. The total number of three chariots is featured in the Jagannath Yatra; the first belongs to Lord Jagannath, the second is for his elder brother, Lord Balram, and the third belongs to his sister, Goddess Subhadra. The Jagannath Yatra begins for nine days, during which all the chariots are pulled by devotees using ropes.
The mythological stories state that King Indrayumna and his wife established the Lord Nilamadhav temple, but the Pran Pratishtha of the temple and the installation of the idols of deities should also be performed. The King approached the sage Narad to perform Pran Pratishtha and requested him to serve as the priest. To this request, Sage Narad suggested that Lord Brahma himself should perform Pran Pratishtha of this temple, and urged him to accompany him to invite Lord Brahma. The King agreed to accompany Sage Narad, but Narad warned him to reconsider his decision as it would take centuries to return to the Earth from the Brahma Lok. He warned that the kingdom would no longer be his, no member of his family would remain alive, and the Nilachal region of Puri would also be under the control of another; it is also possible that the king may not recognise the region upon returning. Upon hearing this, the King was in a profound dilemma, as the only purpose of his life was to establish Shrimandir.
Observing the King's anxiety, Sage Narad offered a solution, stating that, before departing for the Brahmalok, the King should undertake the construction of one hundred wells and reservoirs throughout his kingdom. Also, he should perform one hundred Yajnas to safeguard his region of Puri with sacred and auspicious mantras.
The King agreed with Sage Narad and was ready to leave for the journey to Brahma Lok. During that time, his wife, Gundicha, decided to remain there and perform severe penance (Tapasya) and take Samadhi through Pranayam until he returned. As he started his journey to Brahma Lok, the King assigned the responsibility of the kingdom to Vidyapati and Lalita, but both of them refused to sit on the royal throne, stating that they would instead remain there to continue serving Queen Gundicha.
The King, accompanied by Sage Narad, arrived at Brahma Lok and requested Lord Brahma to perform Pran Pratishtha of the temple. Lord Brahma accepted his request and departed for Earth. But, as Sage Narad had told, many centuries had passed on Earth, and the Srimandir built by the King had also been buried beneath the sands. A different king now ruled over Puri, and not a single descendant of the King's lineage was alive.
After returning to Earth, they searched for the temple and finally reached the Garbhagriha. When the Garbhagriha opened, the divine radiance of Neel Madhav spread out, and the temple was once again revealed to the world. Queen Gundicha sensed the arrival of her husband, and she reached his side.
The Pran Pratishtha of the temple was performed with a Yajna by Lord Brahma. The Pran Pratishtha of Lord Jagannath was completed with the rituals by Queen Gundicha and King Indradyumn. After that, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and His sister, Goddess Subhadra, manifested before them, showered their blessings upon the King, and offered him the opportunity to ask for a boon.
The King asks that the divine grace be showered upon all the laborers who had constructed the temple and helped to take the temple out from beneath the sands. Lord Jagannath urged him to ask for more, and then the King requested that whenever the sacred story of Lord Jagannath is recited, the names of Vishwavasu, the King's own brother, Vidyapati, and Vidyapati's wife, Lalita, shall be taken as his supreme devotee. Lord Jagannath again encouraged him to ask for more. Then the King said that his devoted wife, Gundicha, had sacrificed the joy of motherhood and dedicated her life to the completion of this temple, so he prayed that she be granted a special place at Lord Jagannath's feet. Once again, Lord Jagannath offered the King the opportunity to ask for a boon, then prayed that every devotee who visits this temple to seek the Lord's Darshan be guided onto the path of Dharma. Finally, Lord Jagannath spoke again and said Now ask something for yourself, as you have asked everything for the sake of others, so now, ask for a boon for your own self. In reply, the King said, "I am blessed to have the divine darshan of all three of You. I consider myself truly fulfilled, and there is not a single wish in my heart now." Then, the Lord grants the King all the boons he requested.
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