A Glimpse of Lord Jagannath Ratha Yatra, ISKCON of Phoenix, AZ; January 18, 2026

Описание: The Story Behind Ratha Yatra

A tender and deeply emotional pastime lies behind the grand chariot festival.

1. Krishna leaves Vrindavan

Long before the Ratha Yatra event in Dwaraka, Krishna spent His childhood in Vrindavan with the gopas, gopis, Nanda Maharaja, and Mother Yashoda.
But later, He left Vrindavan and went to Mathura and then Dwaraka.
Although Krishna became a king, the residents of Vrindavan never stopped longing for Him. Their separation (viraha) is one of the highest forms of devotion.

2. The gopis visit Kurukshetra

Years later, during a great solar eclipse, Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra went to Kurukshetra.
The residents of Vrindavan—especially the gopis—also came there with the hope of seeing Krishna again.
When they met Krishna, their love and emotion overwhelmed the Lord.

3. The gopis’ desire

However, something was missing.
In Kurukshetra, Krishna was dressed as a royal prince, surrounded by warriors, elephants, and ministers.
The gopis said lovingly:
“We don’t want You as a king.
We want You as the cowherd boy of Vrindavan—
with a flute, peacock feather, and simple yellow dhoti.”
Their hearts were pulling Krishna away from the royal atmosphere and back toward Vrindavan.

4. Krishna wants to return — but cannot

Krishna also wanted to return to Vrindavan.
But there were political duties, family responsibilities, and circumstances that prevented Him.
This intense emotional moment—Krishna wanting to go back, the gopis trying to pull Him back—is the seed of Ratha Yatra.

5. Jagannath’s form appears

When Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra heard the overwhelming love and longing of the gopis, their bodies melted in ecstasy.
Their eyes became huge, their mouths opened, and their limbs retracted.
This ecstatic form is Lord Jagannath, with Lord Balabhadra and Lady Subhadra.

6. The meaning of Ratha Yatra

The chariot festival symbolizes:
Bringing Krishna back to Vrindavan.
The devotees pull Lord Jagannath’s chariot, representing the gopis pulling Krishna’s chariot from Kurukshetra back to Vrindavan — back to simple, pure, unconditional love.
Gaudiya Vaishnavas consider this the deepest meaning of Ratha Yatra:

• The soul (jiva) pulling
• The Supreme Lord (Krishna) back into the heart
• Away from the “royal” distractions of the material world
• Back to the sweetness of pure devotion (Vrindavan)

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Why Subhadra stands in the middle
During the emotional discussion between Krishna and Balarama about the gopis, Subhadra stood between Them, listening.
Overwhelmed by ecstatic love, she too froze in that form.
Hence the three deities remain together on the chariots.

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In essence
Ratha Yatra is not just a festival —
it is a reenactment of one of the most intimate moments in divine love.
It is Vrindavan’s love pulling Krishna home.
And every devotee gets the chance to take part in that eternal pastime.