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Jagannath Puri Ratha Yatra. By: Shivani Kulkarni. The Story Behind the Festival. Lord Jagannatha - Skanda & Padma Purana. Satya-Yuga: King Indradyumna & Queen Gundica. Lived in ancient city of Avanti Nagari (Ujjain) Ujjain was where Krishna was taught by Sandipani Muni.
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Jagannath Puri Ratha Yatra By: Shivani Kulkarni
The Story Behind the Festival • Lord Jagannatha - Skanda & Padma Purana. • Satya-Yuga: King Indradyumna & Queen Gundica. • Lived in ancient city of Avanti Nagari (Ujjain) • Ujjain was where Krishna was taught by Sandipani Muni. • Everyone was very religious.
The Story Behind the Festival … • Once pilgrims were talking about darshana of four-handed Nila-Madhav. • They said, “Whoever receives darshan of Nila-Madhav will attain four-handed form and become associate of Narayana in Vaikunta.” • Soon this news came to the king. • The king wanted to go to Nila-Madhav and bring him to his kingdom • But he did not know where to find him. • He couldn’t ask the pilgrims because they had already left.
Back To The Story …. King’s Search • The king commanded Vidyapati, an intelligent son of his priest, and others to search and find Nila-Madhava • They went in all the directions searching for Nila-Madhava • After 3 months, except Vidyapati, all other officials and commanders had returned • Vidyapati had gone to the east of India near the Indian Ocean. • Soon he reached a very beautiful village and decided to stay there for a while. The villagers sent him to the prominent leader, Visvavasu.
Back To The Story …. King’s Search • Vidyapati lived in Visvavasu’s house for a while. • Soon Vidyapati fell in love with the chief’s daughter Lalitha. • Vidyapati noticed Visvavasu went to worship every day at a mysterious far location • Vidyapati became convinced the chief was worshipping a beautiful deity of Lord Vishnu. • For his mission to succeed, Vidyapati married Lalitha. • He began to question his father-in-law, Visvavasu, about the chief's daily outings, and asked to be taken to the secret spot. • Visvavasu finally agreed to take Vidyapati there, on the condition that he be blind folded. • During the journey, Vidyapati marked the trail by dropping mustard seeds that were given to him by his wife Lalitha.
The Story (cont.) • When they reached Vidyapati became overwhelmed by the beauty of the deity • Vidyapati left the village to return to the kingdom. • Receiving the good news, the king marched to the spot. • There was no deity to be found there. • King Indradyumna was very sad, and had Visvavasu imprisoned as he began his return. • After much devotion, Nila-madhav consoled the king and assured him that he would be available soon, in a different form.
The Story (cont.) • The King Completed the temple…Then found a log • Vishwakarma came to carry out the carving • Told king that he would carve the deity in secret within closed room – never to be opened. • Days came and went • 21st day the queen got curious…opened the door • Found nothing except four partially done deities ! • A heavenly voice instructed the king on how to proceed, name four figures Jagannath, Subhadra, Balarama and Sudarshan. • King Indradyumna prayed to Brahma to perform the installation ceremony for the deities…
Gundica Temple in Jagannath Puri • Gundica temple is located very near to the Jagannath temple in Puri. • Gundica temple represents Vrindavana • The chariots go from PuriJagannath Temple to Gundica Temple • Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra stay there for 9 days during the RathaYatra. • The temple is situated on the end of the BadaDanda. • It is built in Kalingan style by King Indrayumna for his wife Gundica to honor her devotion.
Krishna’s Reunion at Kurukshetra • For solar eclipse Krishna went to Kurukshetra. • Krishna thought Nanda Baba would also come. • Nanda Baba found out about the trip. • He gathered everyone & proceeded to Kurukshetra. • Took personal items for Krishna like butter, etc. • Was told that Yashoda & Nanda Baba were coming. • Everyone was happy to see him. Everyone cried very, very bitterly. • Krishna went and sat on Yashoda’s lap. Seeing this Devaki got jealous. • Mother Rohini saw it and told Devaki to meet guests.
Gopies met Krishna at Kurukshetra • Krishna then met the Gopis. • Gopis asked him to come back to Vrindavana because they missed the pastimes with Krishna. • The Gopis mounted him on the chariot and tried to pull His chariot towards Vrindavan.
What does Ratha Yatra mean? • Signifies invoking Sri Krishna into our hearts. • Our heart is like a chariot, and we pray to Krishna, "Please come and sit in my heart.” • This was how the gopis prayed to him when he was at Kurukshetra: “You should come and sit in our hearts. Our hearts are Your Vrindavan.”
Information on the Festival • Month of June - July. This year it will start on July 13 • 10 Days of festival : 3 deities are taken through the streets of Puri. • Approximately 45 ft. high and are pulled by the pilgrims. • The festival is also known as Gundicha Jatra, Ghosa Jatra.
Video of Ratha Yatra Procession Click here to run the video as a separate window..
!?!Quiz Time!?! • Which Purana has the story of the appearance of Lord Jagannatha given? (Name one) Padma Purana • What is name of King Indradyumna’s wife? Gundica • What are the other two names of the Ratha Yatra festival? Ghosa Jatra, Gundica Jatra • In which Yuga did king Indradyumna rule? Satya Yuga • How high are the Ratha carts? 45 ft high • What sentiment one should have when pulling the Rathas? To invoke Sri Krishna into our hearts.
References • www.wikipedia.com • The Origin of Ratha-Yatra : A compilation of lectures by Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta Narayana Maharaja • Pictures from www.google.com • http://jagannathguwahati.org/ story_of_nilamadhava_origin_of_t.htm Thank You!
