Jagannath Rath Yatra: Separation Pangs Take Mahalaxmi To Gundicha Temple; Know More About Hera Panchami Ritual

Puri: Four days after Lord Jagannath along with his sibling embarked on the annual sojourn to Gundicha Temple, considered their birth place, in Odisha’s Puri, his wife Goddess Mahalakshmi begins to miss Him..

Unable to bear the pangs of separation, She visits Gundichabadi secretly and, on still not being able to meet him, gets angry and breaks a part of Nandhighosha chariot, parked in front of the temple in a custom known as Hera Panchami Niti. And devotees are flocking to Puri to witness this ritual that is symbolic of the conjugal love between Lord Jagannath and Goddess Mahalakshmi.

Hera Panchami Niti rituals are performed on the fifth day of Rath Yatra. As Goddess Mahalakshmi is exempted from travelling with Lord Jagannath to Gundicha Temple, she gets angry with Her husband. On a suggestion by Goddess Bimala, who is Lord Jagannath’s Tantric consort and guardian of Jagannath Tempe, She secretly visits Gundicha Temple to catch a glimpse of the Lord.

The popular belief is that Lord Jagannath had promised his wife Goddess Mahalaxmi to return the following day.

Though Lord Jagannath is there along with his siblings, he is surrounded by devotees inside the shrine and never gets a chance to meet His wife. Annoyed at this, Goddess Lakshmi throws “Moha Churna” (a herb in powder form given to her by Goddess Bimala) on Her husband for His early return to Srimandir.

THE RITUAL

According to the tradition, the representative Goddess Mahalakshmi (known as Subarna Mahalaxmi) is carried to Gundicha temple in a beautifully decorated palanquin via Bada Danda (Grand Road) in a colourful procession in the evening. The accompanying servitors sing Hera Panchami song expressing the Goddess’s anger towards Her husband.

Goddess Mahalaxmi’s palanquin halts near Nandighosha chariot where the Pati Mahapatra (a representative of Lord Jagannath) welcomes Goddess Mahalaxmi with predefined ceremonial offerings. After that She was taken near the Jaya Vijay door of Gundicha temple.

After knowing that Goddess Mahalakshmi is angry, Lord Jagannath asks his servitors to lock the door of Gundicha Temple.

Goddess Mahalaxmi throws ‘Mohana Churna’ from Her palanquin given by Goddess Bimala for Her husband’s early return to main temple. Under its effect, the Pati Mahapatra offers an ‘Agyan Mala’ (a consent garland) on behalf of Lord Jagannath to Goddess Mahalaxmi and assures Her that the Lord will soon return to the main temple.

She, however, feels insulted and asks her servitors to break a part of Nanigosha, the chariot of Lord Jagannath. She avoids the direct route via Grand Road and secretly returns to Jagannath Temple via Hera Gohiri Sahi.

It is also stated in Madala Panji that the Hera Panchami festival is being celebrated in a realistic manner since the time of King Kapilendra Deb when he installed a gold idol of Mahalaxmi. Prior to that, it was observed in a symbolic manner with the recitation of Vedic Mantras only.

This also sets the process for the return of the triad to the main temple. The chariots will be given a South Turn (dakhsina moda) the following day after the Lord presents ‘Agyan Mala’ signifying His consent. The process begins after the morning nitee at the Adapa Mandap.