Niladri Bije is the ceremony of Lord Jagannath’s return with his siblings from the Raths to the main temple

Puri: 1/7/23:Niladri Bije is the ceremony of Lord Jagannath’s return with his siblings from the Raths to the main temple in Goti Pahandi. Among all the rituals of Jagannath Rath Yatra, the most interesting and last one seems to be Niladri bije. Goti Pahandi is the procession of the Divine Triad from the chariots to Ratna Singhasana. This sacred ritual falls on Saturday, 1 July, 2023.

Niladri Bije is elebrated on Asadha Trayodashi. Niladri Bije is the concluding day of Ratha yatra. On this day deities return to the bejeweled throne or Ratna Bedi. Lord Jagannath offers Rasgulla to goddess Mahalaxmi to enter in to the temple.

Lord Jagannath is not allowed to enter into the Temple

This is really interesting as it is all about the continuation of the fight between Lord Jagannath and Goddess Mahalakshmi. Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra enter the temple after they return from the vacation, but Goddess Mahalakshmi did not allow Lord Jagannath to enter into the temple. A fight takes place between them between Lord Jagannath and Mahalakshmi in front of the temple. She was angry on him; as he did not take her along on the annual sojourn to his aunt’s place. He had also closed the door when the Goddess had come to meet him.

Lord Jagannath pleases Goddess Mahalakshmi

Even after a lot of requests, Lord Jagannath was not allowed to enter the Jagannath mandir premises. After he offered Rasgulla to Goddess Laxmi; an Odia sweet made of curd cheese. She calmed down and accepted his apology.

After a long conversation, Mahalakshmi finally gets convinced and opens the temple gate and allows Lord Jagannath inside. After that, Jagannath is made to sit beside Lakshmi where a ritual of reunion is rehearsed and finally, Lord Jagannath ascends the Ratna Singhasana and re-joins his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

Here ends the enormous car festival of the Gods- Jagannath Rath Yatra. This is a significant event in the entire state; witnessed by numerous tourists both foreigners and Indians. During the rath yatra, Puri witnessed devotees flocking in large numbers amid a divine fervour to seek the blessings of the Lords.