Conclusion of 12-Day Rath Yatra in Odisha as Deities Return to Srimandir

The annual Rath Yatra, spanning twelve days, concluded on Saturday as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra returned to Srimandir. The highlight of the concluding ritual, known as Niladri Bije, is the portrayal of the celestial love and affection shared between Lord Jagannath and his consort, Goddess Laxmi.

The Niladri Bije ceremony encountered a few challenges for Lord Jagannath. Goddess Laxmi, displeased with not being allowed inside the Gundicha temple, permitted Lord Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshana to enter. However, when Lord Jagannath attempted to enter the temple, she instructed her attendants to close the Jaya Vijaya gate of the Singhadwar.

Goddess Laxmi, in her anger over Lord Jagannath’s exclusion of her during the annual sojourn, engaged in a verbal altercation with the Devadasis representing her and the Badagrahi Daitas and other Daitapatis representing Lord Jagannath.

Eventually, Lord Jagannath assured Goddess Laxmi that he would not repeat his actions. Subsequently, Goddess Laxmi commanded the opening of the Jaya-Bijay doors for him. They exchanged glances, and the Bhittarchha servitors untied the nuptial knot and offered Bandapana. To appease his beloved consort, Lord Jagannath presented Rasagolas to Goddess Laxmi.

On June 29, the Suna Bhesha or Rajrajeswari Bhesh ritual took place. The Niladri Bije followed the Adhara Pana ritual, in which the deities were offered a special drink on their respective chariots. The temple servitors presented the beverage in long earthen pitchers to the Trinity during the Sodosha Upachar Pooja. The pots were positioned in a way that did not touch the lips of the deities. After the offering, in the late evening, the earthen pots were shattered on the chariots, symbolizing the release of any negative entities residing within them.

Saturday marked the final day, and Lord Jagannath offered Rasagulla to Goddess Laxmi, who, in turn, allowed him to enter the temple like an ordinary person. With this, the Rath Yatra concluded with divine grace and devotion.