Inner-voice

Just wanted to share something about the renowned car festival of lord Jagannath (The lord of the universe). It's native to Orissa, a state of India, on the coast of the Bay Of Bengal, but not just limited to its territory.
Not sure if the readers of this, are aware of the legend behind this auspicious and globally celebrated festival. Just making an attempt to give a glimpse of the same, along with its multiple aspects and the core philosophy through my eyes and heart.
In many Vedic scriptures and religious hindu texts, there's been mention of Jagannath and his abode Shrikshetra (means - Auspicious area) which is the pilgrimage city of Puri in Orissa, also termed as Sankha kshetra (place in a shape of conch). But historically, Jagannath temple in Puri was called out in highschool text books as something repaired by the then ruler of Eastern Ganga dynasty, Gangeshwar Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, who reigned in Kalinga (Ancient name of the state Orissa) between 1077 CE to 1150 CE. I might sound a little louder while talking about my State as it is something not that promoted or highlighted in bigger forums of political or geographical importance, on many levels. Though it is not as rich economically as it's contemporary states, it has a rich cultural history (which is evident through the uncountable masterpieces of architecture in the form of ancient temples like Konark sun temple, Lingaraj temple, Rajarani temple, caves of Khandagiri and Udayagiri etc.), religious base and belief, rare natural resources and last but not the least it's richest literature (which is also kinda underrated and it's like dwelling under the darkness of its own shadow). But sometimes it is better to be recognised by the true visionaries, instead of fake fames and gold coated appreciations. Just another interesting fact about my State.  It is also named as "Utkal" ( stands for "Utkrisht Kala" i.e., Best in Arts, another meaning is "Utkrisht Karsana" i.e.; Highly fertile soil for farming). Sorry for being flown away from the core topic, and getting diverted towards praising my homeland.

So back to the main topic here, lord Jagannath is beyond history and creation. In this era of disbelief and inhumane world, he is the one who is taking care of each of his creations, relentlessly. Based on mythology, there was a king named Indradyumna who was responsible for building the renowned temple and the uniquely charming idols of lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra with the help of his various companions. It is believed that lord Brahma himself came from his abode Satyaloka or Brahmaloka to do the temple prestige. Gundicha was the queen of the king Indradyumna. Both were highly devoted to the lord Jagannath. But as per the sacred hindu rituals and the way the temple prestige was performed, it was not only through the sacred chantings but there were many such restrictions in religious belief which doesn't allow people from other religions to enter into the temple premises (During the mythological era even the untouchables from Hindu religion were restricted from entering the temple premises. In my view there should not be something like untouchables as we all are made of the same flesh and blood and we breathe in the same air. But can't help here as the time was like that due to the impact of the caste system). Queen Gundicha was quite empathetic and sentimental towards her own citizens who were underprivileged and unable to enter the temple. She once pleaded before the lord and burst into tears, to solve this dilemma so that our own lord can be easily accessible to everyone in his creation. That night as the legend says, the lord himself appeared before queen Gundicha in her dreams and directed her to begin this annual car festival, where 3 different chariots would be built from woods and a divine journey of the lord of the universe with his siblings would begin from the base temple Shri Mandir till the Gundicha temple (which was named after queen Gundicha). There is also a saying that our beloved lord goes to meet his aunt annually through this festival. This way the ocean of sympathy, the omnipresent, the omnipotent Jagannath Prabhu blessed everyone with this auspicious festival of chariots or the Rath Yatra. This is not just a festival of a limited group of people or religion but a celebration of thirst meeting a water body, materialistic minds meeting the absolute truth, a great opportunity to get showered by his unlimited grace. Irrespective of gender, caste, creed and religion, lord of the universe comes out of his comfort zone and sets off his journey to bless his creation. It starts on the Hindu calendar day of Ashadh Shukla dwitiya and is celebrated for the next 9 days followed by the return to his base temple on (Bahuda yatra) on the 10th day. With his grace, it is currently celebrated all over the world across many cities, and surprisingly, including Pakistan.

Not sure of others and can't explain this experience too in words, but only who has experienced it, he or she would be able to relate it to, what I am gonna say here. When you see him in person(Lord Jagannath), standing in front of him, he is like a magnet, and your soul and heart as if it would just start to melt, eyes will become wet, and as if silence of your own inner voice, begins to talk to him louder than words, he is just standing there with his open arms to embrace you unconditionally. That's my lord, my thakur, my beloved Krishna, my own Jagannath.

We all are quite familiar and are closely associated with the Vedic verse "Vasudhaiva kutumbakam" which indeed gives the doctrine of accepting the whole world as a family. At the same time, we don't respect others due to his or her origin, language, religion etc. I would strongly urge everyone to come and join hands together and fight against the fake identity philosophy. Why does one have to market or promote his own place, culture, language etc. This normally occurs out of our own narrow mindedness. Because beyond our own existence and experiences, we do not believe anything else even if that is prominent and prevailing enough. Instead of being categorised through place, language, caste, religion, one should be proud of himself or herself as a human first, followed by respecting each and every individual. If someone sticks to his or her own ideology, it's absolutely amazing, but that doesn't give him or her the rights to exploit the others. If drawing lines and comforting oneself were the keys to happiness then every single soul would have been in their own golden cage by now.

I am not going to cover each and every granular aspect of Rathyatra here, which would become a separate novel altogether. But be grateful, be gracious and be empathetic. Jay Jagannath 🙏🙏🙏

By - Rama Krushna Pattnayak