Puri: Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath on Tuesday returned to the sanctum sanctorum of the 12th-century shrine in Odisha’s Puri through a ritual called ‘Niladri Bije’ as the world-famous Rath Yatra concluded on Monday.
Niladri Bije ritual marks the culmination of the annual Rath Yatra which started on July 16 this year when the trinity rode three majestic chariots to travel to their birthplace at Shree Gundicha Temple, around 2.6 kilometres from the main temple.
The deities, waiting for the Niladri Bije ceremony by sitting on their respective chariots since Friday – Bahuda Yatra on July 24 – were taken inside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum through the ceremonial procession called “Pahandi,” one by one and seated on the ‘Ratna Bedi’ (the sacred platform on which the deities are seated).
Shree Sudarshan, the wheel weapon of Lord Vishnu, was first to be taken inside the temple followed by Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, Finally, the Pahandi of Lord Jagannath took place amid chanting of ‘Haribol’, ‘Jai Jagannath’ and beating of gongs, cymbals, blowing of trumpets. During Lord Jagannth’s ‘pahandi’, he is obstructed on the way to the main temple by his consort Maha Laxmi, who was angry over her husband for not taking her on Rath Yatra. Finally, Lord Jagannath appeases his consort by offering her Rasagolla and costly saree.
A conversation between Lord Jagannath and Maha Laxmi takes place through their respective servitors, which is called ‘Laxmi-Narayan Kali’, which means quarrel between the Lord and his consort.
The Niladri Bije ritual ends after Lord Jagannath gets entry into the shrine with the permission of his wife.
Thousands of devotees, mostly local people witnessed the interesting quarrel between Lord Jagannath and his consort Maha Laxmi.
At least three people died and many others were injured amid crowd surge on Bada Danda during pulling of chariots on July 16. Another devotee died due to suffocation in the crowd during Bahuda Yatra on July 24.
Lakhs of devotees from across the country witnessed Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra (return of car festival), Suna Besha (golden attire), and Adhar Pana (sweet drink offering).
