Puri: It has been four days since Lord Jagannath and his siblings embarked on their annual sojourn to Shree Gundicha Temple in Odisha’s Puri.
Unable to bear the pangs of separation, Goddess Lakshmi on this day visits Gundichabadi in a beautifully palanquin carried by the servitors but is unable to see Him. Instead, the Pati Mahapatra offers an ‘Agyan Mala’ (a consent garland) on behalf of Lord Jagannath, assuring her that he will return to the main temple in three days. The Goddess then gets angry and breaks a part of Nandhighosha chariot, parked in front of the Gundicha Temple in a custom known as Hera Panchami.
While returning to the Shree Jagannath Temple, she avoids Bada Danda and secretly leaves through ‘Hera Gohri Sahi’.
‘Hera’ means to search or look for and ‘Panchami’ means fifth. The ritual signifies the longing and yearning of Goddess Lakshmi to reunite with her consort, Lord Jagannath. It is said that before leaving for Gundicha Temple, she visits Bimala Devi, who gives her ‘Moha Churna’ (powder) to hypnotise Lord Jagannath so that he returns to the main temple (Srimandir) without further delay.
Devotees have been flocking to the pilgrim town to witness this ritual that is symbolic of the conjugal love between Lord Jagannath and Goddess Lakshmi.
This ritual also sets in motion the process for the return of the sibling to the main temple. The chariots will be given a South Turn (Dakshina Moda) and parked at ‘Nakachana Dwara’ on Wednesday.
