Jagannath Temple and Serampore Rathyatra

Dhruwanand Brahmachari, a devote of Lord Jagannath made a hut and a very small temple of Lord Jagannath in the bank of river Bhagirathi in Mahesh.Later the king of Murshidabad Nawab Khan Walison made contribution of 1185 Biggha of property for the service of Lord Jagannath .The old temple being engulfed by the Ganga the present one was constructed after the model of famous Jagannath temple of Puri by Sri Nimaycharan Mallick in 1755.Nayanchand Mallick made the contribution of land for the present temple. Kamlakar Pippalai, a close disciple Of Sir Chaitanya was the worshipper of the deity and his descendants are steel continuing with this service.
The Rathajatra of Serampore Mahesh is the second oldest chariot festival in India (after Rath Yatra at Puri) and oldest and biggest in Bengal,[1] having been celebrated since 1397.[2] It is a week-long festival and a grand fair is held at that time. People throng to have a share in pulling the long ropes (Rosshi) attached to the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra on the journey from the temple to Serampur Gundicha Bari and back.

It was the fourteenth century. Drubananda Brahmachari, a great Bengali sage went to Puri for pilgrimage. He had a desire to offer Lord Jagannath ‘Bhoga’ with his own hand. But the Temple authority prevented him do so. Broken-hearted Drubananda decided to fast until death. On the third day, he heard the Lord’s voice in his dream, “Drubananda, go back to Bengal. At the bank of Bhagirathi, you will find a place called Mahesh. There I shall send you a huge Daru-Brahma (Neem trunk). Make Balarama, Subhadra and my Idol with this trunk. I am eager to have ‘Bhoga’ in your hand.” So Drubanada returned to Mahesh and started his Sadhana. Then in a scary rainy night, that Daru-Brahma appeared at Mahesh. He jumped into the water and received it. Then he made the Idols OF the Holy Trinity and established a Temple.