Jagannath Rath Yatra 2026: Devotees wait for the world famous Rath Yatra of Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha throughout the year. It is not just a religious festival, but a wonderful confluence of faith, tradition and devotion. Every year lakhs of devotees reach Puri to have darshan of Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

But do you know that before the Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath remains ill for about 15 days and during this time the devotees are not able to even have darshan of him? There is a very emotional and inspirational story behind this.

Ansar period starts after Snan Purnima

Before Rath Yatra, Snan Purnima is organized on the day of Jyeshtha Purnima. On this occasion, special anointment of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra is done with water from 108 sacred pots. According to religious beliefs, after such a huge anointment, the Lord gets fever and becomes unwell.

For this reason God rests for 15 days. This period is called ‘Ansar Kaal’ or ‘Anvasar Kaal’. During this time, the doors of the sanctum sanctorum of the temple remain closed for common devotees and the Lord is given special treatment.

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God took the disease upon himself for devotee Madhav Das

According to the legend, Madhav Das, a great devotee of Lord Jagannath, was suffering from serious illness for a long time. He prayed to his beloved to remove his suffering. God told him that due to the karma of his previous birth, only 15 days remained of the illness, after which he would be liberated.

But seeing the suffering of his devotee, Lord Jagannath’s heart was moved. It is said that he took upon himself the remaining 15 days of Madhav Das’s illness. As a result Madhav Das became healthy and the Lord himself became unwell. Since then this tradition has been going on that after Snan Purnima, Lord Jagannath remains ill for 15 days.

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God’s healing is achieved through medicinal offerings.

During Ansar period, normal offerings are not made to God. Their service is done according to the special Vaidya tradition. They are offered bhog, decoction and special prasad made from medicinal herbs so that they can get well soon.

When the Lord becomes completely healthy, then the devotees get his darshan through ‘Navayauvan Darshan’. After this, Lord Jagannath sets out on a grand Rath Yatra with his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

This tradition gives the message of devotion and compassion

This story of Lord Jagannath falling ill is not only a religious belief, but is also considered a symbol of the unwavering love of God and the devotee. This story tells that in front of true devotion, even God himself is ready to bear the suffering of his devotees. This is the reason why Jagannath Rath Yatra is not just a festival but has become a celebration of emotions and faith of crores of devotees.

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