Finance
Before Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra begins, which usually lasts nine days. But let us not forget to tell you that Lord Jagannath had just recovered from an illness one day before Ratha Yatra.
Confused? Know the entire story. Continue reading…
Every year, the temple gates of Jagannath Puri are locked for fifteen days. This is because Lord Jagannath is said to be unwell for fifteen days before the Rath Yatra begins.
In this period, the deities are kept in a special sick room called the ‘Ratan vedi’ inside the temple. The deities stay away from the public view for a period of 15 days. The period of illness is known as “anasara”. They will be given special herbs like Dasa-moola and special diet during the illness.
They will be offered a special decoction of black pepper, cinnamon, fennel, liquorice etc. Bells, mridangam etc. will be stopped in order to give rest to the lord.
Different oils and resins along with musk will be applied to the vigrahas for rejuvenation. No darshan will be allowed in the temple till the shukla pratipada of Ashadha. Some priests will do pooja secretly.
Lord Jagannath is being nurtured by his devotees throughout this time. He is offered numerous Ayurvedic medicines, medicinal pastes, and other remedies.
After this period, people get the first glimpse of their deities on the day before Rath Yatra, on this day the deities are re-painted and brought to the main platform for the devotees to see and pay homage which is called ‘ Nava Yauvana Darshan’. This is also known as ‘Netrotsava’. Next day, the Ratha Yatra Festival is observed.
Lord Jagannath Cannot See His Devotees Suffering
There is a very sweet story underlying all of this. In recent times, there was a devotee of Lord Jagannath called Madhava Das. The only friend he had was Lord Jagannath, the only family he could see, and the only neighbor who ever visited him was Lord Jagannath. As a result, Lord Jagannath was all he had. Madhavdas became critically unwell one day. Initially not serious, the fever eventually became so high that he couldn’t even get up to get anything to eat for himself. His health was deteriorating by the day. But, as we all know, God does not let his followers suffer indefinitely, even though he may choose to test them at times. Thus, worried over the continuously worsening state of Madhavdas, Lord Jagannath came to him in the form of a man.
Lord Jagannath Disguised As A Traveller
Lord Jagannath, disguised as a pilgrim, enquired about his ill health and chose to nurse him. This continued for a few days. When Madhavdas was completely awake, he saw that the guy serving him was none other than his Lord Jagannath. Only a real devotee is said to be able to recognize God when he appears to them in disguised forms.
Madhavdas was taken surprised when the Lord himself came to see him. But what surprised him was that, instead of nursing him, the lord could easily drive away the illness. As a result, he asked Lord Jagannath, “Oh God, since you are the all-powerful, why did you choose to nurse me rather than cure me?” The lord replied, “There are some things in life which are pre-decided, which even God cannot change.” Therefore, he chose to look after him for these days.
Madhava Das was depressed and pleaded, “Lord, you cannot do this.” I am a sinner, and you are the Supreme Being. You are unable to serve me!!!”
But the Lord persisted. The Lord served him for 15 days. “This is more than enough,” Madhava Das said. I will refuse to eat and will not take medications because it is better for me to die than serve you, Lord.”
“According to your Prarbadh, you still have to suffer another 15 days of this illness,” the Lord replied tenderly.
If I desire, I can end your pain now, but you will have to give birth again to complete the remaining 15 days, which I do not want you to do.”
Seeing Madhava Das’s suffering, the Lord ultimately responded, “The only way I can cure you without you having to give birth is for me to take on the illness for the next 15 days.”
Madhavdas was taken aback to witness Lord Jagannath blessing him and taking those days of agony upon himself.
The Lord then informed the King, as well as His servants, that “I am sick.”
As a result, they closed the Darshan for 15 days and administered “medicine” to the Lord.
This Parampara never ended, and the Lord still gets sick every year for 15 days and is treated for it.
Thus, fifteen days before the Jagannath Puri Yatra, Lord Jagannath becomes ill and the temple gates remain closed. When he fully heals, the gates are opened and the yatra begins. Devotees from all over the world travel to visit him and participate in the yatra.
During the trinity’s sick period, devotees normally make a beeline for the Alarnath temple at Brahmagiri, about 23 kilometers outside Puri town, to catch a glimpse of the god. During illness in Puri, Lord Jagannath is said to manifest in the shape of Alarnath. Darshan of Alarnath provides the same sense of fulfillment to devotees.
