Jagannath Yatra: Why Is Khichadi Offered To The Idol, Know Significance Of The Rath Yatra

Rath Yatra 2021: There is a tradition of offering Khichdi to Jagannathji in Jagannathpuri. Let us know when did this tradition start?

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Jagannath Rath Yatra 2021: The four Dhams have special significance in Hinduism. One of these four Dhams is Jagannath Puri Dham. Jagannathpuri is located at a place called Puri in the eastern state of Odisha, India. Lord Jagannath, meaning the Lord of the world, and the (the deity form of Lord Vishnu)is worshipped in the temple of Jagannath Puri. Lord Sri Krishna is seated in the temple of Jagannath Puri with his grandfather Balabhadra Ji and sister Subhadra.

Jagannath Puri:

It is believed that Lord Jagannath was first worshiped by the tribal Vishwavasu in the form of Neelmadhav. This temple was built by King Indradyumna. According to historical sources, the present Jagannath temple was built by King Chodgang Dev in the 12th century. The architecture of this temple is of Kalinga style.

Chariot Festival {Rath Yatra 2021}: According to the Hindu calendar, the Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannathji begins every year on the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the month of Ashadha. During the Rath Yatra, Shri Jagannathji, Balabhadraji, and Subhadraji sit in the chariot and go to their aunt's house, the Gundicha temple, three kilometers away. After this, on the tenth day of Ashadh Shukla Paksha, Shri Jagannathji, Balabhadraji, and Subhadraji return to their place.

Why is Khichdi offerred to Jagannathji ??

According to the legend, a devout lady named Karmabai lived in Jagannath Puri. Karmabai used to worship Jagannathji as her son. One day there was a desire in her mind to feed khichdi to Lord Jagannath Ji. Understanding the wish of the devotee mother, Lord Jagannath himself appeared in front of her and said that he was hungry. Devotee Karmabai made khichdi and fed it to God. Lord Jagannath Ji told Karmabai about his wish to eat khichdi every day.

One day a Mahatma told Karmabai to bathe and offer prayers every day as a rule. The next day Karmabai made khichdi after bathing but she was late. When God arrived he urged Karmabai to serve him khichdi as the temple was about to open. When Karmabai made khichdi and served it, he hurriedly returned to the temple after eating it. There was a grain fragment on his face.

Seeing the food fragments on Lord's face, the priest of the temple enquired about it. Lord Jagannath Ji narrated the whole story of Khichdi.  Karmabai offered Khichdi to Lord Jagannath every day. But one day Karmabai died. The priest saw that Lord Jagannath was crying. When asked the reason, God informed the priest about Karmabai's death, and questioned the priest as to who would feed him khichdi every day. The priest himself promised Lord Jagannath that he would feed him khichdi daily. The priest continued to offer Khichdi to Lord Jagannath. It is believed that since then the tradition of offering Khichdi to God in the morning started.