Rath Yatra 2025: The Divine Mystery of Lord Jagannath's Unfinished Idol
Unlike most deities in Hindu temples, the idol of Lord Jagannath is strikingly distinct. It lacks hands, feet, and a traditionally complete form. Yet, this so-called incompleteness is neither flaw nor accident. It is a sacred symbol, rooted in legend and steeped in meaning.
The Legend Behind the Form
According to ancient lore, King Indradyumna, a devoted follower of Lord Vishnu, wished to construct a magnificent temple with idols crafted for divine worship. After deep meditation, he was guided in a dream to retrieve a sacred neem log from Bankamuhana, destined to become the idol.
The celestial architect Vishwakarma, appearing as a humble carpenter named Ananta Maharana, agreed to sculpt the idols—but with one condition: no one must disturb his work until it was complete. Days turned into weeks, and the king, overcome by doubt and curiosity, opened the doors to the workshop prematurely.
To his dismay, the idols of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra remained unfinished—missing limbs, partially formed. Vishwakarma vanished, leaving the king distraught. But soon after, Lord Brahma appeared and declared the idols perfect in their current form—divinely intentional and spiritually complete.
Symbolism Beyond the Physical
The incomplete form holds deep philosophical meaning. It is said to represent the boundless, formless nature of the divine. The large, wide eyes of the idol symbolise Lord Jagannath's omniscience—his ability to see all, beyond space and time.
In embracing this form, devotees are reminded that God transcends human concepts of perfection. The divine essence does not require a finished shape; it resides in faith and surrender.
Devotion That Completes the Divine
Each year during Rath Yatra, the idols are placed on towering wooden chariots, drawn through the streets by thousands of devoted hands. The absence of limbs in the idol is poetically fulfilled by the people themselves—becoming the Lord's hands, guiding his sacred journey.
This ritual underscores a powerful truth: the divine path is completed not by form, but by faith. It is the collective devotion of the people that carries Lord Jagannath forward.
As the chariots roll on in 2025, the tale of the incomplete idol continues to inspire millions, reminding them that in spirituality, it is not perfection that matters—it is participation, love, and belief.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Taste of Life: Encouraging fasting to protect religious traditions
Pune: In early twentieth-century Colonial India, a resurgence of religio-cultural self-awareness that endorsed traditions played a significant role in defining cultural identities. This self-awareness existed alongside the diversities based on caste, ethnicity, and region. The encounter with modernisation sharpened the expressions of cultural identity that differed from traditional religio-cultural conflicts. Movie halls like the Minerva Talkies and Prabhat were known to distribute dates to the fasting audience. Fasting on 'Ekadashi' was considered a tool to bridge the gaps and rifts between different castes and communities. (HT) Keshav V Datye of Shukravar Peth, Pune, wrote a letter to the Marathi daily 'Dnyanaprakash' on July 29, 1940, that began with the criticism of the youth for indulging in frivolity by watching movies on the important festival of 'Ashadhi Ekadashi'. But his bigger consternation was the consumption of 'soda-lemon', tea, and peanuts by a significant section of the audience before, during, and after the screenings, on the day they were supposed to stay away from food. Datye worked at a printing press in Pune. He was also a founding member of an 'Ekadashi Sanghatana'. Members of such organisations fasted on every 'Ekadashi' and donated the money thus saved to funds established for the welfare of Indian political prisoners. Readers of this column would remember an article I wrote last year about these 'Ekadashi Sanghatanas', the fasts on 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' and Muharram, and how they forged a bond between the two communities (Fasting brings people of faith together, July 18, 2024). 'Ekadashi', the eleventh day of the waxing and waning lunar cycles of the Hindu calendar, was a day of fasting for many Hindus. There were two 'Ekadashis', and hence, two fasting days each month. While most men and women fasted for a day, some women kept the 'Ekadashi' fast for three days. They lunched a day before 'Ekadashi' and broke the fast two days later after sunrise. Some chose to fast without water, while some ate only fruits. 'Ashadh Shuddha Ekadashi', also known as 'Devashayani Ekadashi', the eleventh lunar day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of 'Ashadh', was one of the most important of the 'Ekadashis'. Fasting was its essential aspect. Since ancient times, fasting has been an expression of piety or penitence towards a deity. In Christianity, fasting was often viewed as a form of penance; while in Islam, it was more about praise and obedience. Fasting to achieve specific results from a deity highlighted a form of thinking where the act of fasting was believed to have direct effects on divine intervention. The reasons given for fasting on an 'Ekadashi' were manifold and depended on which text one referred to. While one was supposed to not touch a single morsel of food on the day, the modern middle-class embraced new ingredients like the potato, sago, peanuts, and chillies and used them to create novel dishes which it decided could be consumed when one was fasting. The housewife, hence, proudly displayed her repertoire of fasting dishes on 'Ashadhi Ekadashi'. Women who ate only once during the entire month of 'Ashadh' were believed to be blessed with prosperity and children. The 'Vaman Purana', one of the eighteen major Puranas in Hinduism, advised donation of footwear, umbrellas, and gooseberry soaked in brine to Brahmins during the holy month. Some vegetable and fruit vendors specially stocked gooseberries during the month. The pressures of modernisation in Colonial India tried to replace and reshape traditional cultures that exhibited resistance and adaptive qualities. The arrival of technology was a sign of emancipation, but it also created anxiety because of the constantly changing personal and social life. The lure of modernity, hence, was perceived as a threat to religious traditions. The anxiety created by Western education and modernity made a section of the Hindu middle class embrace religious rituals with a vigour. The 1930s saw the popularity of the 'Satyanarayana Pooja' soar to new heights. Lord Satyanarayana was considered a form of Lord Vishnu, and hence the ritual was performed with great devotion in the month of 'Ashadh'. Since men had to work during the day, the pooja was organised in the evenings, followed by dinner for guests in some wealthy households. 'Ashadh Pournima', the full moon day of the month of 'Ashadh', was also celebrated as 'Guru Pournima' as a day to mark reverence to teachers. Many families observed a full-day fast on the occasion. The fast ended after the evening ritual of paying obeisance to the spiritual or religious guru of the family or the deity. Some well-to-do families in Pune organised community feasts in Vishnu temples in the city. Many invited their guru, or a Brahmin for lunch. It was also a day when students bowed before their teachers in schools and colleges. The Hindu unification project, initiated and led by the likes of Mahadevshastri Divekar in the early 1920s, called for the abolition of rituals that encouraged the segregation supported by the caste system. Fasting on 'Ekadashi' was considered a tool to bridge the gaps and rifts between different castes and communities, chiefly owing to the association with the pilgrimage to Pandharpur, where men and women belonging to different castes and communities participated. Those not fasting every 'Ekadashi' were not considered good Hindus. Following religious rituals was deemed necessary to preserve Hinduism in its 'pure' form. As a result, groups like 'Tarun Maharashtra Mandal' organised bhajans and keertans for three days before the 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' in the so-called 'lower caste' localities. People belonging to these castes and communities were urged to fast and follow Hindu rituals. Extra shows of movies and plays, apart from the regular shows at 6 pm and 10 pm, were organised at 3 pm on 'Ashadhi Ekadashi'. Movies like 'Sant Sakhu' and 'Sant Meerabai' were shown, and plays like 'Swargasundari' were staged. The trend probably started in the late 1920s. On the 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' in July 1930, Jagadish Film Company's 'Dwarakadhesh' was screened at Aryan Theatre. The 3 pm show was packed with a large crowd outside the movie hall shouting at the doorkeeper to let them in. In the following years, movie halls in Pune made it a regular custom to organise extra shows on 'Ashadhi Ekadashi'. Movie halls like the Minerva Talkies and Prabhat were known to distribute dates to the fasting audience. According to Datye, 'Ashadhi Ekadashi' was an occasion to cleanse mind and body, and those watching movies and drinking 'soda-lemon' were drifting away from the purpose, and hence, from their religion. The young men, on whom 'future of the country rested', were supposed to take pride in the glorious religious traditions of Hinduism; 'modern education' had corrupted the minds of men and women who were gratified by 'western indulgences', but the least they could do was fast on 'Ashadhi and Kartiki Ekadashis', he wrote. Datye's letter in 'Dnyanaprakash' was a testament to the renewed enthusiasm surrounding Hindu festivals in twentieth-century Maharashtra that emphasised the importance of fasting and prayer as integral to the lifestyle of the community, and that these practices were deeply embedded in their religious identity. It showed how the stress, emotions, and novelty associated with westernisation and modernity collided with challenges from the internal and external world that demanded self-control, orderliness, and homogeneity. Chinmay Damle is a research scientist and food enthusiast. He writes here on Pune's food culture. He can be contacted at
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
Jindal Foundation continues to serve devotees during Rath Yatra
Bhubaneswar: For the 11th year in a row, Jindal Foundation, the social arm of Jindal Steel & Power, has continued to serve devotees of Rath Yatra in Puri, demonstrating its compassion and dedication to community service. This year, the Foundation has served over 10 lakh freshly cooked and nutritious meals during the grand festival. The services will continue until the auspicious day of Suna Besha, aiming to provide more than 20 lakh meals. To serve the devotees, the Foundation has set up two massive food distribution stalls – near the Puri railway station and the bus stand near the Gundicha temple – strategically located to reach maximum number of people. The traditional Odia meal of rice, dalma (a lentil-based dish) and khata (a sweet and sour chutney) was chosen for its nutritional value and its cultural significance, providing a taste of local hospitality to the devotees. The Foundation has ensured that all meals are hygienically prepared and served with humility, aligning with the spiritual sanctity of the event. The stall at the bus stand was inaugurated by Puri MP Sambit Patra. Shallu Jindal, Chairperson, Jindal Foundation, said, 'For the last 11 years, our efforts have been to ensure that no devotee goes hungry while seeking the blessings of Lord Jagannath during Rath Yatra. We are humbled by the blessings and the opportunity to contribute to this grand spiritual occasion of India.'
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Preparations begin for Lord Jagannath's 'Bahuda Yatra' with rotation of chariots
Puri, The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration with the help of Puri district administration and police on Wednesday started preparations for the 'Bahuda Yatra' of Lord Jagannath a day after the completion of 'Hera Panchami' rituals, an official said. Preparations begin for Lord Jagannath's 'Bahuda Yatra' with rotation of chariots The devotees are having a smooth 'darshan' of the sibling deities - Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath - at Shree Gundicha Temple for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, the SJTA official said. Preparations are on to turn the chariots southwards for the 'Bahuda Yatra' on July 5, he said. The three majestic chariots - Taladwaj , Darpadalan and Nandighosh are now parked at 'Saradhabali' in front of Shree Gundicha Temple, considered as the birthplace of the deities. They will be turned around for the return car festival, the official said. He said that on-duty police personnel and a handful of servitors will drag the chariot and keep them at the proper place before they are pulled to the 12th-century shrine during Bahuda Yatra on July 5. "Today, after the 'Sakaladhupa' ritual, the chariot will be pulled after the 'Agyanmala' come from the deities the chariots would take 'Dakhina Moda'. Three 'Agnya Mala' have meanwhile reached the chariots. It gives me immense satisfaction to be part of the Rath Yatra rituals," said Madhav Pujapanda, who carried the 'Agnya Mala' from Shree Gundicha Temple to chariots. In the series, first, the Devadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra will be pulled, followed by the Taladhwaja chariot of Lord Balabhadra and finally the Nandighosh chariot of Jagannath to reach in front of the 'Nakachana Dwara' for forward pulling on July 5th. According to mythology, the three-day 'Rasalila' will begin at Shree Gundicha Temple on Wednesday. Lord Jagannath would perform 'Rasalila' with 'Gopis' . Meanwhile, the Hera Panchami ritual was observed on Tuesday night when Lord Jagannath's consort Maa Laxmi reached Shree Gundicha Temple in anger and humiliation for not being taken on Rath Yatra. Maa Laxmi was angry because Lord Jagannath took his brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra in Rath Yatra and not her. In anger, Maa Laxmi broke a portion of Nandighosh chariot of Lord Jagannath as per the ritual and returned to the main temple in a ceremonial procession. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
