• By Kashish Rai
  • Sun, 07 Jul 2024 11:13 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: Puri's Ratha Yatra is the oldest and greatest Hindu chariot festival, held annually in the bright half of the lunar month of Ashadh (June–July). The event is held in Puri, Odisha, India, and honours the god Jagannath (a form of Vishnu or Krishna). This year, the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is being observed on 7th July 2024.

During the celebration, a large number of devotees drag three deities (Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra, and sister Subhadra) in three giant, wooden chariots on bada danda (the grand avenue) to Gundicha Temple, where they stay for a week before returning to Jagannath Temple. This return voyage is known as the Bahuda Yatra.

However, do you know that the first-ever Rath Yatra took place in Dwapar Yuga? Let us check out the legend associated with this premise.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: Legend Behind The First Rath Yatra In Dwapar Yuga

Rath Yatra holds as much significance as the devout feelings linked with Lord Krishna's pastime and the Gopis of Braj. When Lord Krishna left Braj during the Dwapar Yug, He caused Radha Rani and the Gopis to suffer for a hundred years, despite the fact that He adored them. While the separation was merely outward, because the Gopis' minds were already in Yog (connection with God), the divine separation intensified their pure love and selflessness. One hundred years after their separation, the Gopis of Braj felt the ecstasy of pure love for their beloved Shree Krishna!

When there was a solar eclipse, hundreds of devotees congregated at Brahma Lake in Kurukshetra to bathe in the Kund. Bathing in this sacred water was seen to be just as beneficial as doing an Ashwamegh Yagya. As part of His pastimes, Lord Krishna visited Brahma Kund with his 16,108 queens, as did the other Yadus. Radha Rani and the Gopis also travelled from Braj to the lake. They were overjoyed when they saw Lord Krishna after a hundred years! They did not, however, feel the same beautiful, magnificent, and heavenly delight when they beheld His sumptuous appearance as King of Dwarka. So that they may all experience the Braj Ras in His loving form as their beloved Shyamsunder, they asked Him to return to Braj with them! Lord Krishna concurred since He had a similar experience.

Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and his sister Subhadra Devi are carried out in big chariots during the Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra processions. (Image Source: Freepik) 

The Gopis constructed a chariot that was used to seat Subhadra Devi, Lord Krishna, and Lord Balaram. From Kurukshetra to Braj, the Gopis dragged the chariot. The selfless love and deep devotion of the Gopis brought Shree Krishna to such a degree of heavenly ecstasy that He attained Mahabhav Samadhi or divine ecstatic pleasure. His eyes dilated and His body went still, revealing His innermost thoughts.

ALSO READ: Jagannath Rath Yatra 2024: Date, Time, Significance And Rituals Of This Grand Chariot Festival Of Odisha

Shree Balaram and Subhadra Devi also entered Mahabhav Samadhi, witnessing His holy ecstasy. As the Lord took on the shape of a friend, child, and beloved, He lost His luxurious form, and all the Brajwasis, or people of Braj, once again enjoyed the ecstasy of their beloved Shyamsunder and His heavenly siblings when the chariot arrived at Braj!

In the history of the Yug, this was the first Rath Yatra.