Jai Jagannath!

The most auspicious day of Snan Yatra is finally here! Exciting Kirtan, dancing, leelas and Lord's amazing mercy, all for you!?

Shri Krishna's Jagannath Roop

Shri Krishna from Dwarka and Nandbaba from Vrindavan come to Kurukshetra for snan after solar eclipse.

Rukmini Devi and Satyabhama Devi went to Rohini Maa, requested her to explain the love of Brijwasis towards Krishna.

Rohini Maa agreed but directed Subhadraji to not allow Shri Krishna and Balram Dau to listen about this else both will run back to Vrindavan!

The narration began. Engrossing it was that Subhadraji didn't realise her brothers standing beside her. 

Listening to the description, their eyes widened, their limbs got stiff and body seemed to be melting!

Narada Muni requested Lord to retain that form. Lord agreed saying that He will come in Kaliyug as Lord Jagannath in Purushotam Kshetra/Orissa.

Jagannathji resides here in the Maadhurya Rasa as this form of His is manifested for the love of Braj Gopis. 

‌How were Jagannathji deities formed?

In Indradyumna Maharaj's court came pandits who told him that Neel Madhav is the Lord of Universe. But the king's men failed to find Neel Madhav.

One of the Purohits, Vidhyapati, who married Vishwavasu's daughter Lalita when he was wandering looking for Neel Madhav came to know that his father in law serves Neel Madhav! Vishwavasu was not willing to introduce Neel Madhav to his son in law but as Lalita insisted, he agreed on a condition that Vidyapati should be blindfolded untill they reach Neel Madhav.

Vidhyapati was overwhelmed on having Neel Madhav's darshans. He informed Maharaj Indradyumna about his find and The King came to take Neel Madhav. While leaving, the Lord blessed  Vishwavasu that for 15 days after the Snan Yatra, his decendents will serve Him. 

Later, Lord instructed Maharaj Indradyumna to get His deities carved out of wood within 21 days in a closed chamber. Vishwakarma comes as an aged man and starts making the deities in that closed chamber. 15 days passed and then hearing no sound coming from the chamber Maharaj opened the doors to find three incomplete deities.

Maharaja Indradyumna invited Lord Brahma and established these deities in Shri Jagannath Puri Dhaam.

Gaja/Hathi Besh

Once a devotee of Shri Ganesh names Gajanan Bhatt came to Shri Puri Dhaam for darshans. He always thought that the God has an elephant trunk b'cos he worshipped Shri Ganesh. Upon having darshans at Shri Mandir, he got disappointed and thought that Jagannth ji cannot be God because He doesn't have an elephant trunk!!

That night, Jagannathji came in his dream and asked him to visit Shri Mandir again next day. 

Gajanan Bhatt did so and the next day when he saw the Lord, He has a long elephant trunk!! Gajanan Bhatt was overjoyed. The day this happened was the Jyeshtha Purnima / Snan Yatra Mahotsav. 

Since that day onwards, the first besh Jagannathji and Balbhadraji adorn after the Snan is Gaja/Hathi Besh. 

Jagannath Swami ki Jay! ?