Rath Yatra 2025: What You Must Never Do On The Third Step Inside Jagannath Temple

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Every year during Rath Yatra, millions gather in Puri, Odisha, their hearts full of devotion and eyes fixed on the majestic chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra as they journey out of the temple in grand procession. This year Rath Yatra has begun on 27 June 2025 and it will conclude on 5 July 2025.

It's a spiritual spectacle like no other-a festival where gods come out to meet their devotees, and centuries of tradition unfold in vibrant, rhythmic glory.

Photo Credit: Oneindia

But while much is said about the grandeur of the chariots and the sea of pilgrims, not everyone knows about one of the most sacred, quiet secrets hidden inside the Jagannath Temple itself: the third step leading to the sanctum sanctorum-a step you're never supposed to walk on.

Yes, there's an unwritten, unspoken rule inside one of the holiest shrines in India. Among the three steps that lead to the deities, the third one holds a divine secret-a spiritual weight so strong that even priests bow before it, and lifelong devotees avoid it instinctively.
So, what's the mystery? What happens if someone steps on it? And why is it considered so sacred?

Mystery Behind The Third Step

According to the temple priests and several ancient Odia scriptures, the third step-also called the "Baisi Pahacha's last step"-holds immense spiritual significance. It is believed to house the essence or presence of the deity himself.

For centuries, devotees and priests alike have been told not to place their feet on this particular step. While the other two steps are passed normally, the third is treated with the kind of reverence you'd show a deity. In fact, many priests bend down and touch their forehead to this step as a sign of surrender before entering the innermost sanctum.

Why? Because stepping on it is believed to bring spiritual imbalance, karmic burden, and disrespect to the divine presence it holds. It's not just about manners or superstition-it's about treating the step like a living embodiment of the Lord.

Photo Credit: Oneindia

Legend Behind The Third Step

There are several theories behind this sacred rule, but one particularly captivating story stands out. It is believed that when Lord Vishnu descended as Jagannath, he infused a part of his divine energy into this very step-his paduka or sacred footprint.

The legend says that during temple construction in the 12th century, the third step was chosen by the Lord himself as a resting place for his energy. As a result, this step became a guardian portal-a metaphysical checkpoint between the mortal world and the divine presence inside.

Another belief is that this step acts as a silent judge-it tests the devotion, intention, and humility of anyone entering the sanctum. Step over it mindlessly, and you symbolically bypass surrender. Honor it, and you acknowledge the sacred before receiving darshan.

More Than Just Stone

This isn't the only instance of spiritual reverence toward inanimate objects in Hinduism. Steps, thresholds, and entrances have always been considered energy transitions-zones where the material dissolves into the spiritual. In Jagannath Temple's case, the third step is a divine threshold, marking the end of the physical path and the beginning of soul connection.
That's why even modern restorations and archaeological surveys have left the third step untouched. No one dares to disturb what's believed to be a divine imprint.

Sacred Ritual: How Devotees Show Respect

If you ever visit the temple (and are lucky enough to enter the sanctum), here's what you'll see:

• Devotees pause before the third step.
• Many bend down to touch it with their forehead, silently offering prayers.
• Some whisper their wishes, believing the step listens like a living being.
• And everyone avoids stepping on it-even accidentally.

This is more than a custom. It's a silent tradition that has survived dynasties, invasions, and time.

Why This Mystery Still Fascinates Millions

Unlike some temple rituals that are formalized by rulebooks, this one is largely oral, passed down by word of mouth. That makes it all the more intriguing. There are no warning signs, no bold markers. You either know... or you learn when you're corrected by a devotee nearby.
And perhaps that's what keeps the mystery alive-it's part of a secret spiritual language between the divine and the devotee, one that doesn't need explanation, only understanding.