My Unforgettable Journey to Jagannath Dham, Puri

From Rukmini Harana Ekadashi to Rath Yatra preparations - "A Divine Experience in Puri"

My plans and wish to visit Jagannath Dham in Puri were made back in the last year of college. But I either had to cancel my plans or something popped up in between. With strong determination and a "let Bhagwan ji decide" kind of mindset, I finally made it happen. Despite visiting during the worst month for weather, I couldn't have picked a better time—the occasion of Rukmini Harana Ekadashi. This celebration marks the auspicious wedding of Lord Jagannath and Rukmini. Plus, I had the chance to witness the Rath Yatra preparations. Stay with me as I take you through my spiritual journey to Puri.

Escaping the soaring heat of Odisha in June, we planned to visit Puri and seek Lord Jagannath’s blessings in the evening. We reached Puri railway station around 5 PM and immediately started looking for a rickshaw. Despite the availability of shared rickshaw options, we struggled to get one. As outsiders, we faced the risk of being overcharged, with initial prices often quoted at double the usual rate. Throughout our journey, negotiations typically started at 150-100 INR, so it's essential to negotiate well. Eventually, we found a direct rickshaw with fair rates and headed straight to the Jagannath Temple without wasting any time.

Upon arrival at the temple, we deposited our bags, footwear, mobile phones, and leather items, as they are strictly prohibited. I was fortunate to be there just as preparations for the Rath Yatra 2024 were underway. We observed the craftsmanship involved in creating the wooden chariots, from selecting massive tree barks to shaping them into parts of the chariot, intricately engraved with designs. It's believed to be lucky to touch the chariots, especially the one belonging to Lord Jagannath.

It was finally time to enter the temple. As we joined the queue, we noticed the beautifully decorated entrance, signifying the biggest Ekadashi of the year. We ascended the 22 steps of salvation, chanting “Jai Jagannath” as we made our way to the inner complex. Despite the usual crowd, we discovered that the darshan doors were closed and would reopen at 8 PM. Just in time, we witnessed priests climbing to the temple's top to change the flags, a ritual performed by generations.

To pass the time, we decided to try the Mahaprasad Bhog. Sharing a meal, I found it to be one of the best vegetarian dishes I had ever tasted. Next, we sampled the sweets: Rabdi, freshly made Atta Ladoos, Matri, and the Lord's favorite, Khajja. While interacting with a vendor, we learned that it was Lord Jagannath’s wedding day, known as Rukmini Harana Ekadashi, which explained why the temple doors were closed. Excited, we wandered the premises and soon found a compact crowd of people and priests with two carriages for Lord Jagannath and Rukmini Devi’s celestial marriage.

The ceremony began with prayers, followed by a traditional play where Shree Krishna fights and defeats Shishupal, abducting Rukmini while her father comes to rescue and unties Shishupal. The play was in Odia, so I asked priests around me for explanations. When the play ended, the carriages moved to a beautifully decorated mandap for the wedding rituals. We followed, along with hundreds of others. It was suffocating but incredibly fun. Tulsi leaves from the wedding were distributed, and devotees could seek blessings from the newly married divine pair. The wedding feast featured delicious bhog and sweets for everyone.

Indulged in the events, we almost missed our chance to see the Lord. We joined the extremely tight crowd, holding onto each other to avoid separation. After a real struggle, we managed to see the divine idols: Lord Jagannath, Devi Subadra, and Lord Balarama. There’s a pillar inside the temple my sister wanted me to hug and make a wish upon, but the crowd made it impossible this time. Despite the chaos, it was worth it just to catch a glimpse of the deities.

Once outside, my longing to see the gods was finally satisfied. We stayed a little longer, spending a few more hours in peace and purity within the premises before finally taking our leave.

P.S. I wanna go back already, maybe soon.

As we left the temple, the sense of peace and fulfillment was overwhelming. The day had been a swirl of devotion, tradition, and unforgettable experiences. From the vibrant Rath Yatra preparations to the celestial wedding festivities, Puri had offered us a magical experience of a lifetime. With our hearts full and spirits lifted, we headed back, already cherishing the memories of our divine encounter in this holy city.