😲 You Won’t Believe What Hides in Puri’s Temple—The Chilling Secret of the Third Step! 😲
- MediaFx
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
TL;DR:On June 27, 2025, during the grand Rath Yatra at Jagannath Temple in Puri, a little-known yet spine-tingling tradition comes to light—the third step, called Yamashila, is believed to harbour Yama, the god of death! 👣 This legend, rooted in ancient puranas and temple lore, stipulates that stepping on it during darshan erases sins—but stepping on it on your way out can wipe away your newly earned punya! The centuries-old belief is sparking curiosity and wonder among youth and pilgrims alike. Let’s dive into this mystical tale from the people’s perspective! ✊
👣 What’s the Yamashila Mystery All About?
Third step from the bottom of 22 steps at Puri’s Jagannath Temple is not ordinary—it's made of black stone known as Yamashila or “Yama's Stone”
Belief says Yama, the god of death, lives in that step. Ancient legend states Yama complained to Jagannath that no souls reach Yamalok because devotees go straight to heaven. Jagannath then told Yama to reside on that step: if you step on it after darshan, your sins are cleansed—but your punya gets taken back by Yama.
Devotee ritual: Step on it when entering (to cleanse), avoid it while exiting (to retain punya). Many devotees carefully cross over it on their way out.
🌟 Why This Matters During Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra, held on Friday, June 27, 2025, marks the deities’ journey to the Gundicha Temple for nine days.
Puri draws lakhs of devotees annually, who pull the massive wooden chariots of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra on Bada Danda.
Amid the energy and divine devotion, the quietly powerful Yamashila adds eerie depth—a moment of myth merging with millennia of faith. This step becomes a symbolic checkpoint: a pact between mortals and karma.
✨ Culture, Class & Collective Power
The story blends folk wisdom and religious egalitarianism: Yama’s demotion to a temple step is a statement—equal footing for gods and ordinary people at the threshold of the divine.
Jagannath is known as Patita Pavana—"saviour of the fallen"—a deity of the oppressed.This tale echoes themes of equality, collective salvation, and the power of shared faith.
From a people’s lens: it’s not just mythology—it’s about we veering off from oppressive norms, giving ordinary pilgrims a chance to challenge cosmic forces and claim spiritual equity.
🤔 Why Youth Are Talking About It
It’s mystical yet simple—a single step with cosmic power.
Taps into ritual psychology and the hunger for symbolic acts that feel powerful, especially during intense festivals.
Adds personal challenge: “Did you step on it? How did you avoid it?” promotes spiritual engagement and peer convo.
Makes ancient myth feel tangible—something you can see, step on, and question.
📣 MediaFx Opinion (from the People’s View)
This story shows how sacred traditions empower ordinary folks, giving them agency in the face of cosmic bigwigs like Yama. It’s a moment to celebrate communal belonging, spiritual equality, and people-driven rituals. As Jagannath stands for the downtrodden, the Yamashila reminds us: even death has a place in the service of public karmic justice. It’s not superstition—it’s faith in we over they, from Puri’s lanes to every doorstep. 🙌
Join the convo!Did YOU avoid the Yamashila after darshan this year? Share your experience👇And don’t forget to like, comment, and discuss with your fellow yatris!
Title for creative:“Yama’s Stone Step”
Attention grabber:“Step Wisely!”
