The grand Jagannath Rath Yatra officially began today on June 27, 2025, and the social media feeds are filled with images and videos of the vibrant chariots, large crowds of devotees and divine celebrities, which are presently underway in the city of Puri in Odisha. From Instagram reels to the trends on X, there are colourful pictures of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra being pulled through the streets, which has filled the nation with a devotional atmosphere.
As the excitement and information about the Yatra is being shared online, many people are curious to know more about the Rath Yatra, Jagannath Temple, its history and mysteries, which have fascinated the devotees for centuries. If you are one among them, then continue reading to know everything about it.
What is the Rath Yatra?
The Rath Yatra, a.k.a the chariot festival, is marked as the beginning of a journey by three deities, Lord Jagannath, his brother, Balabhadra and their sister, Subhadra, from their temple to the Gundicha Temple. As you might have seen in the pictures, they are carried in three golden wooden chariots which are pulled by the crowds of devotees with a thick rope.
They pull the chariots from the streets to the river bank and it is believed that pulling the chariots cleanses them of their sins. After reaching the river bank, they are placed on boats, taken to the other side and then again chariots continue the journey to the temple where special rituals are performed as per age-old traditions. They stay there for nine days and return on a similar journey. During this whole activity, there is a lot of enthusiasm and spiritual energy in the city of Puri.
What is the history of Jagannath Temple in Puri?
The famous Jagannath Temple in Puri is not just a religious site but is a symbol of devotion, mystery and tradition among the Hindus, which has been carried through centuries. The temple is situated in the city of Puri and is also considered one of the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites of the Hindus. There is no accurate record of the construction of the temple. Still, a mix of legends and historical facts estimate that it was built in the 12th century by the then-king, Anantavarman Chogaganga Deva, who made the temple as a tribute to Lord Jagannath who is considered as a form of Lord Vishnu.
According to some legends, Lord Jagannath was initially worshipped as Neela Madhaba by a tribal king named Viswavasu in a forest. Later, King Intradyumna heard about the divine idol in the forest and sent his priest, Vidyapati, to find it. After a lot of effort, the priest found it with the help of the tribal king’s daughter, Lalita. As a result, King Intradyumna ordered the building of a grand temple on Nilasaila, a.k.a the Blue Mountain.
However, the journey didn’t end there, as it was a local belief that a celestial voice guided the king to carve idols from a sacred log which appeared on the seashore. Consequently, King Indradyumna crafted the wooden idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra with a lot of devotion, and they were enshrined in the famous temple, which is considered the heart of the temple. Another legend believes that after Lord Krishna’s body was cremated, his heart was preserved within the idol of Lord Jagannath in the Jagannath Puri Temple.
What are the mysteries of the Jagannath Puri Temple?
Apart from the Jagannath Temple’s history, several unexplained mysteries also make the religious site more fascinating for devotees. Many of these mysteries come to the surface during the Rath Yatra, and some of them include:
#1. A flag flutters against the wind
One of the biggest wonders about the Jagannath Puri Temple is the flag atop the temple. It may come across as a normal flag, but if seen carefully, it always flutters in the opposite direction of the winds. Every day a priest climbs the temple to reach there and change the flag without any safety gear. Local legends claim that if the ritual of changing the flag is ever missed, then the temple must be kept closed for 18 years.
#2. The Sudarshan Chakra
Another mystery about the temple is related to a Sudarshan Chakra, which holds immense significance in Hindu culture. A similar chakra weighing nearly a ton is kept atop the temple without the use of any machinery. Strangely, if you will see it carefully, then it appears the same from every direction which is an architectural marvel that is yet to be understood by humans.
#3. No Shadows of the temple
A popular mystery about the Jagannath temple is that despite its large size, you will never see any cast or shadow of the temple at any time of the day. This strange absence of the show has puzzled researchers, devotees and visitors for years. Consequently, it is another addition to the mystical aura of the temple.
#4. Silence of the sea
When someone enters from the Singha Dwara entrance of the temple, the sound of the ocean waves completely disappears. This strange silence, especially in the evenings, is not explained by any scientific phenomenon. However, legends believe that it is Subhadra Mayi’s wish for peace.
#5. No flights over the temple
Another mystery of the Jagannath Puri Temple, which has confused scientists for years, is that no birds or aeroplanes ever fly over the Temple. It continues to remain a clear zone as if some divine forces are protecting air space above it.
#6. Reverse wind direction in Puri
As per the normal geographical fact, a sea breeze blows the land during the day, and vice versa happens at night. But, this pattern is reversed which always surprises geographers surprised.
#7. Mahaprasadam cooking mystery
Jagannath Temple’s Abadha Mahaprasadam is cooked as per the tradition, where seven earthen pots are stacked one above the other. But, shockingly, the food in the topmost pot cooks first, defying normal cooking logic. So. The locals believe it to be a divine act.
These are just some of the many mysteries of the holy Jagannath Temple in Puri, there are many more legends and unexplainable wonders which continue to attract travellers, researchers and devotees. On the other hand, the sacred chariots which roll through the cities of Puri not just carry the idols of deities but also the age-old faith and fascinating secrets which continue to leave everyone in awe.
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