The Rath Yatra is scheduled to begin on 27 June at the famous Jagannath temple located in Puri district of Odisha. A large number of devotees are reaching to participate in this journey. As everyone knows that the journey is grand here in which the Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath as well as elder brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra begins. Jagannath Rath Yatra starts from the Jagannath temple, while the Gundicha temple is reached there. God goes to visit his aunt’s house. In this rath yatra, the devotee arrives and attains virtue by pulling the chariot of Lord Jagannath.
There are many traditions to the worship of Lord Jagannath in which it is said that Lord Jagannath is offered Neem. There is a special story behind it, let’s know…
According to the tradition associated with the worship of Lord Jagannath, Lord Jagannath is offered bitter neem leaves. This tradition has been prevalent since ancient times, which has been continuously. The mythology is prevalent for why bitter neem is offered to God in place of sweet. It is said that an old woman lived near the Jagannath Puri temple, who considered God as her son. She used to see every day that 56 types of diverse and heavy food are offered to God. One day he thought that after taking so much enjoyment, his son could have stomach ache, for which the woman made neem powder.
Let us tell you that as soon as the woman reached to offer neem powder to God, the soldier disrespects the woman. The soldiers who came to give the powder to God threw away the powder of neem made by hand. The woman was very sad on this matter and returned home. That night Lord Jagannath appeared in the dream of the king of Puri and informed about the whole incident. God told the king that he has tolerated insult to a true devotee and it is unfair. He ordered the king to go to the woman’s house and apologize and make the same neem powder again and offer it to God.
Let us tell you, the king followed the order of God. He himself went to the house of the elderly woman and made a powder. I prepared the neem powder with great love and the king offered her to Lord Jagannath as enjoyment. God gladly accepted him. From that time, the tradition of offering neem is being run till now. After 56 Bhog, God is also offered to the Lord’s powder.
