Puri, July 28 (UDN): The centuries-old Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath concluded on a deeply spiritual note with the observance of Niladri Bije, the final ritual that marks the return of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra to the sanctum sanctorum of the Puri Srimandir.
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The grand homecoming began after the Sandhya Dhupa rituals. The deities were ceremoniously escorted from their chariots to the Ratna Singhasana in the traditional Goti Pahandi procession, led by the Daita servitors amid devotional chants, blowing of ceremonial bugles and an atmosphere of immense religious fervour.
As part of the ritual sequence, Lord Sudarshan was taken into the temple first, followed by Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra. The procession culminated with the majestic Pahandi of Lord Jagannath, drawing loud chants of devotion from thousands of devotees gathered in and around the temple.
Before the procession began, temple servitors attached the traditional wooden ramps, known as Charamalas, to the three chariots. The Mudiratha servitors offered floral tributes to the deities and performed the customary Doralagi ritual, setting the stage for the sacred return.
One of the most cherished moments of Niladri Bije unfolded after the sibling deities re-entered the temple. In keeping with tradition, Maa Lakshmi, displeased at being left behind during Lord Jagannath’s nine-day journey to the Gundicha Temple, symbolically refused Him entry by ordering the Jaya-Vijaya Dwara to be closed.
What followed was a dramatic yet symbolic exchange representing divine love and reconciliation. Despite Lord Jagannath’s attempts to appease Her, Maa Lakshmi initially remained unmoved. A ceremonial tug-of-war between the servitors of the divine couple reenacted the playful disagreement before Lord Jagannath acknowledged His mistake and promised not to repeat it.
To express His affection and seek forgiveness, Lord Jagannath offered Rasagolas to Maa Lakshmi. The sweet offering, regarded as a symbol of love, repentance and reunion, softened Her heart. Accepting His apology, Maa Lakshmi ordered the temple doors to be reopened, allowing the Lord to return to His abode.
Inspired by this sacred tradition, Rasagolas are ceremonially offered to the deities before the Pahandi procession and later shared among devotees. The occasion is also marked by the distribution of Nilachal Abadha, the revered Mahaprasad prepared for thousands of pilgrims.
With the completion of Niladri Bije, the annual Rath Yatra 2026 formally concluded, bringing to an end one of India’s largest and most revered religious festivals while reaffirming timeless messages of devotion, forgiveness and the enduring bond between Lord Jagannath and Maa Lakshmi.