The famous Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannathstarted today in Puri, Odisha, attracting lakhs of devotees from across India and other parts of the world. This grand procession celebrates the journey of the three divine siblings, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra, in beautifully decorated chariots.

The Rath Yatra is held every year during the Hindu month of Ashadh, on the Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight). People from all walks of life come to witness this sacred festival, pulling the chariots and singing devotional songs.

The sacred Jagannath Temple

The Jagannath Temple in Puri is one of the four holy pilgrimage sites, known as the Char Dham in Hinduism. This ancient temple is not just a place of worship but also holds many mystical stories and spiritual secrets. One of the most interesting and mysterious parts of the temple is a specific step at its entrance, called the third step or ‘Yamashila’, also known as Yama’s stone.

What’s special about the third step?

To enter the Jagannath Temple, devotees must climb 22 steps. Each of these steps is considered holy. But the third step from the bottom is believed to be very special, and even a little scary. According to religious beliefs, this step is where Yamraj, the god of death in Hinduism, resides.

Story behind it

There’s an old story about this step. It is said that Yamraj once visited Lord Jagannath because no souls were reaching his kingdom, Yamlok. According to mythology, when Yamraj told Lord Jagannath that no souls were coming to his world, Lord Jagannath asked him to stay on the third step at the temple’s entrance. He said, "Anyone who steps on this stair after seeing me will be free from their sins, but they will come to your world (Yamlok)."This meant they didn’t need to go to Yamlok after death. 

Since then, this step has been called Yamashila, and most devotees avoid stepping directly on it, especially after having darshan (a sacred look) of Lord Jagannath. Many people touch the step with respect and carefully cross over it without letting their feet land on it. Even the third step is coloured black,s so that devotees can identify it easily.

So, the third step — Yamashila, became a reminder of this story and was treated with great respect by devotees. Many people bow their heads or touch the step while climbing it. The Rath Yatra and the legends surrounding Lord Jagannath continue to draw people year after year, making it one of the most spiritual and celebrated festivals in India.