The story behind Jagannath Rath Yatra
The festival expresses the theology of Jagannath as the Lord of the universe who comes out to meet devotees beyond the temple threshold. Pulling the chariot ropes, taking darshan, singing kirtan, and …
The festival expresses the theology of Jagannath as the Lord of the universe who comes out to meet devotees beyond the temple threshold. Pulling the chariot ropes, taking darshan, singing kirtan, and sharing mahaprasad are all considered acts of immense merit.
Gau Seva on Rath Yatra honours Jagannath as Krishna, the cowherd Lord of Vrindavan. Feeding cows on the day the Lord travels among his people is a way to serve his beloved beings directly. The seva carries the spirit of mahaprasad: nourishment offered to the Lord returns as compassion for all.