- By Kashish Rai
- Wed, 11 Jun 2025 10:58 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Rath Yatra 2025: The grand chariot festival in Puri - Jagannath Rath Yatra, is set to be observed on 27th June 2025. The preparations for the Rath Yatra festivities start with Snan Purnima, where the sacred deity idols of Lord Jagannath, his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra and given a sacred ceremonial bath or Abhishekam. After this sacred bath, the lordships are believed to fall ill. Yes, you heard it right! Did you know that after becoming ill, Lord Jagannath takes a 15-day break? The temple doors are kept closed during this time, and the Lord is tenderly given rest and care. Check out the intriguing legend that underlies this revered custom below.
Rath Yatra 2025: Why Lord Jagannath Falls Sick 15 Days Before The Grand Chariot Festival?
According to a legend, Shri Madhav Das was a devout devotee of Lord Jagannath who lived in Puri, Odisha. He had given up the world and led a modest, solitary life while being totally consumed by devotion. He would go to the temple every day, sing bhajans, and treat Lord Jagannath as his best friend as well as his deity. Their relationship was so pure that Madhav's life was filled with spiritual joy as the Lord would play divine games with him and even teach him playful mischief.
Shri Madhav Das became very weak after contracting a severe case of dysentery one day. Nevertheless, he insisted that Lord Jagannath was the only one who could truly take care of him and turned down assistance from others. He became too weak to move as his condition deteriorated. His strong faith moved Lord Jagannath, who came to take care of him while becoming a servant.
Madhav asked, "Why serve when you can heal me?" but the Lord responded that in order to end the cycle of destiny, one must endure it. In order to free Madhav from further suffering, the Lord offered to bear his burden for 15 days. In order to relieve that sacrifice for his devotee, Lord Jagannath is said to get sick for 15 days every year.
According to traditional customs, after the Snan Purnima, Lord Jagannath and his siblings fall sick and are given rest for 15 days before the Rath Yatra festival. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
Rath Yatra 2025: How Lordships Are Taken Care Of For 15 Days During Sickness
Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra retreat into Anasara Pindi for 14 days of rest and recuperation following the revered Snana Purnima ceremonies. Ancient belief holds that the deities get sick from the rigorous bathing rituals and recover in peace. Devotees are prohibited from receiving darshan of the divine trio during this period. Rather than idols, traditional Pattachitra paintings are worshipped. In observance of this holy time of divine rest, the Puri temple's Garba Gruha (sanctum sanctorum) is still closed.
Ancient herbal remedies, such as Dasamula medicines and a unique Phuluri oil made from flowers, sandalwood, Bena Chera, rice, and camphor, are used to tenderly care for the deities inside the Anasara chamber. Every year during the Rath Yatra, starting on Hera Panchami, the Basa Odia Matha prepares this oil, which is then kept underground for a full year before being used. The day before the grand Rath Yatra, known as Naba Jaubana Darshan, is thought to be the day the deities recover and reappear in their youthful form to bless their devotees once more.