Puri, Jul 7: Among the many timeless legends associated with Lord Jagannath and the annual Rath Yatra, one of the most cherished is the story of poet-saint Balaram Das, a revered member of Odisha's Panchasakha. The legend highlights Lord Jagannath's unwavering devotion to his devotees and the belief that the Lord values sincere faith above social status or ritual purity.
According to traditional accounts, the incident took place during the Rath Yatra in Puri several centuries ago. As Lord Jagannath had already ascended the Nandighosha chariot and thousands of devotees thronged the Grand Road (Bada Danda), Balaram Das made his way toward the chariot with the sole intention of embracing the deity and offering his heartfelt prayers.
However, the temple servitors reportedly stopped him from climbing the chariot. Described as being unkempt and not conforming to the expected standards of ritual purity, Balaram Das was rebuked and forcibly pushed down from the chariot despite his repeated pleas for a final glimpse of the Lord.
Deeply humiliated and heartbroken, the saint is said to have left the Grand Road and walked towards the seashore near Banki Muhana. Overcome with grief, he contemplated ending his life in the sea but decided to offer one final prayer to Lord Jagannath before taking the extreme step.
Using the sand on the beach, Balaram Das crafted three miniature chariots and invoked Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to reside in them. Moved by the unwavering devotion of His devotee, Lord Jagannath is believed to have manifested himself on the sand chariots, accepting Balaram Das's humble offering and restoring his honour.
Meanwhile, back at the Grand Road in Puri, the massive Nandighosha chariot refused to move despite repeated efforts by devotees, temple servitors and even the Gajapati King's elephants. Every attempt to pull the chariot reportedly failed, leaving everyone bewildered.
That night, tradition says the Gajapati King received a divine message in a dream. Lord Jagannath revealed that he had gone to the sand chariot created by his beloved devotee, Balaram Das, who had been insulted by the servitors. The Lord instructed the King to respectfully bring Balaram Das back, stating that only then would the Rath Yatra proceed.
The following day, the King, accompanied by his royal entourage, visited Banki Muhana, apologised to Balaram Das and requested him to return with honour. As soon as the saint arrived at the Grand Road, the Nandighosha chariot is believed to have started moving, with chants of "Jai Jagannath" filling the air.
The episode has since become one of the most celebrated legends in Jagannath tradition. It symbolises the belief that Lord Jagannath stands firmly by His devotees, transcending social distinctions and external appearances. The story continues to be narrated during the Rath Yatra as a powerful reminder that sincere devotion, humility and faith are valued above all else in the Jagannath culture.
