Rathajatra: An extraordinary annual sojourn from Ratnabedi to Janmabedi

॥ नीलाद्रौ शंखमध्ये शतदलकमले रत्नसिंहासनस्थं

सर्वालंकारयुक्तं नवघन रुचिरं संयुतं चाग्रजेन ।

भद्राया वामभागे रथचरणयुतं ब्रह्मरुद्रेन्द्रवंद्यं

वेदानां सारमीशं सुजनपरिवृतं ब्रह्मदारुं स्मरामि ॥

    Such a holy and soulful day for all Odias in this Ashadha suklapakshya dwitiya tithi, moreover all humans throughout the globe, across the borders, oceans, and mountains. Lord Jagannath, his siblings elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Subhadra are out of Srimandir to Sri Gundicha leaving behind maa Srilaxmi. Such a great day for devotees who wait anxiously throughout the year for this annual journey. Today all those sins will be dissolved by seeing those chakanayanas. He is the ultimate savior. He has no full arms, yet He is Mahabahu. He has no eyelids, yet He stays alert thought-out the years. He has no full legs yet, He can run for His devotees and their devotions. Millions of devotees will offer their love and affection through their tears and open arms for Him. In return, He will also take everyone into His arms on the path of liberation.

In these nine days of mahajatra he pours love and love for all. Irrespective of all religions and people are one in front of Him. In Hindusim this is a very rare case where Lord Jagannath gets worshiped along with his siblings. This reflects the very human nature of our Lord. 

    He can take coconut directly from Dashia bauri. He can stop his chariot in the middle of Badadanda for his devotee Bhakta Salabega. He can visit the thorny field of brinjal to listen to the devotional lines from GeetaGovinda from bhakta Jayadeva. He loves His devotee more than anybody. He can't live without His devotees. Many see Him as a child, many as a king (Kalia Saanta), many as a friend (Sakha) whereas others may be the ultimate savior. He is in multiform. He gets worshiped by the tribal community of Daitapatis. Ignoring his unlimited worth of costly gems and metals in Ratnabhandara he has chosen to reside in a Daru a wooden body made up of neem trees. He is the ultimate man, woman, or consciousness (Chetana) for all of us.

Let's get immersed in His deep love and affection. Because he is the ultimate destination for all of us.

Jai Jagannath.