- By Kashish Rai
- Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:26 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Rath Yatra 2025: The sacred idol of Lord Jagannath, a revered Hindu deity worshipped in Puri, India, has a fascinating backstory. His wooden statue is shown without hands, which piques interest and intrigue in contrast to other deities. Lord Jagannath is a revered manifestation of Lord Krishna in the Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha. He is worshipped in the magnificent Jagannatha Temple from the 12th century, along with his siblings Subhadra and Balarama. These wooden statues, which are unique and have a straightforward yet charming form that has won over millions of devotees, are housed in the temple's sanctuary.
Let us uncover the interesting, lesser-known legend behind why Lord Jagannath has no hands.
Why Lord Jagannath Has No Hands? Know Interesting Legend
Devoted to Lord Vishnu, King Indradyumna was adamant about seeing his favourite god manifest. He found out about the Nila Madhava idol through divine intervention, but it was gone by the time he got there! Unfazed, the king was told to construct a temple and make a new idol on Nila Hill. In order to have the idol carved in a single night, he sought out the fabled divine architect Vishwakarma. Renowned for his agility and skill, Vishwakarma accepted the challenge.
Vishwakarma worked tirelessly throughout the night, but as he was about to finish, the sun's first rays appeared over the horizon. Vishwakarma left the idol unfinished and without hands because he was afraid he had failed. When King Indradyumna first saw the unfinished idol, he was devastated. However, a divine voice then declared the idol to be perfect in its own special form. According to the voice, Lord Jagannath's missing hands represented the divine's universality, which embraces all followers regardless of their physical form.
Devotees were reminded that genuine devotion is not limited by physical boundaries by this iconic idol with no hands, which became a revered symbol of faith. Millions have been enthralled by Lord Jagannath's story, which embodies the idea that love transcends all forms.
Lord Jagannath is revered as the divine form of Lord Krishna in a unique form with big eyes, black complexion and no hands. (Image Source: Canva)
Spiritual Significance of Lord Jagannath's Handless Form
The form of Lord Jagannath's hands is full of symbolism and can be interpreted in various ways. One interpretation holds that it symbolises the divine's all-pervading character, in which blessings and love transcend all boundaries. According to a different interpretation, the missing hands represent the divine entity that exists outside of physical action and is both the source and unattached to creation.
Additionally, this special form encourages followers to develop inner strength by depending on their own deeds while being inspired and guided by wisdom. The incomplete idol can also be interpreted as a symbol of the divine's constant change, with followers of the religion contributing to its completion via their own devotion and spiritual development. Millions of people have been enthralled by this complex symbolism.