Today Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra started in Puri, Odisha. The procession of the three divine siblings Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra is graced by lakhs of followers arriving at the city to watch the grand procession.
This holy festival is celebrated in Ashadh Shukla Paksha of Hindu month Asadh.
The ancient Jagmang temple in Puri, one of the Char Dhams of Hindu religion, harbors in its sanctum a lot of mystical traditions and ancient secrets, among the most intriguing of which there is the thing about the third step of the temple entry called Yamashila or Yama stone.
Lost in a Mystery Of The Third Step of Jagannath Temple
Jagannath Temple has 22 stairs which should be climbed to enter the temple as they are all sacred. The bottom three steps are of special significance, and of a rather ominous one. This step is called Yamashila in religious folklore, and it is believed that it is the home of Yamraj, the Hindu God of death.
There is a common legend known that Yamraj had once been to Lord Jagannath, and that he was disturbed at the fact that no souls were proceeding to his kingdom. It was believed that even by just looking at Lord Jagannath could get a devotee salvation and reprieve him of undergoing the road to Yamlok (the world of the dead).
On hearing this, according to mythology, Lord Jagannath instructed Yamraj that he (Lord Yamraj) would have to be stationed at the third step of the entrance of the temple because he said, “Roman, here is where people will come and see me, who enters my presence; The third stair, the man who will enter this staircase after having seen me, will be sent to your place without sin.”
This step is since then located as Yamashila and his followers will be aware not to even tread on it, at least after the darshan(sacred viewing) of lord Jagannath. Even some place their hands on the step often and step around it without immediate feet directly contacting it.
How To Identify The Yamashila Step
The temple authorities have made it easier for devotees to observe this tradition. The Yamashila step is distinctly coloured black, unlike the other 21 steps.
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