Niladri Bije: Return of the Holy Trinity into the temple

A day after the Trinity was offered Adhara Pana, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath ushered into the sanctum sanctorum of Srimandir on the occasion of Niladri Bije (homecoming of the deities) on Saturday.

Puri: The world-famous Rath Yatra concluded on Saturday with the re-entry of Lord Jagannath and his siblings into the Srimandir in a special ritual called Niladri Bije.

This ritual conducted after the 12th day of Rath Yatra in which the divine siblings along with Lord Sudarshan are taken to the temple and seated on the Ratna Singhasana (bejewelled throne) in a ceremonial procession.

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.

‘Niladribije’ is the last part of the annual Rath Yatra of the deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra.

On this day, the Lords enter the sanctum sanctorum. After the Lords returned from Gundicha temple, the rituals of ‘Suna Besha’ and ‘Adhara Pana’ were performed on the chariots.

Before entering the main temple, a traditional act between the servitors of Lord Jagannath and Mahalaxmi was held at the main gate (Jaya Vijaya Dwara) of the temple. Mahalaxmi, the consort of the Lord Jagannath, was angry as she was left in the main temple and was not a part of the trip to the Gundicha temple.

The major part of this ritual fulfilled its divinity when Lord Jagannath attempted to appease Goddess Laxmi by offering Rasagolla to her. After long persuasion, she allowed him inside. This auspicious day, Niladri bije also famous as Rasgulla day in Odisha.

Daita servitors conducted the Pahandi procession amidst beating of cymbals, trumpets, drums and bugles and presentation of Gotipua and Odissi dances.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Dr Ramcharan Dash, scholar Jagannath culture said," Today is the day of ‘Niladri Bije’ when the three deities will re-enter Srimandir, their original abode in Nilakandara. They will be again placed on the Ratna Singhasana. In short, the twelve-day sojourn of the holy siblings comes to end today with Niladri Bije. This auspicious day, Niladri bije also famous as Rasgulla day in Odisha."

"Another major part of today’s ritual is Lord Jagannath attempting to appease Goddess Laxmi by offering her Rasagolla, the sweet dish. As per scriptures, Goddess Laxmi is upset with Lord Jagannath for leaving her behind in Srimandira during the festival of Rath Yatra," he said.

Here ends the enormous car festival of the Gods- Jagannath Rath Yatra. This year, the Rath Yatra was organised without the participation of the devotees on the Supreme Court’s order due to COVID-19.

This is a significant event in the entire state; witnessed by numerous tourists both foreigners and Indians. During the rath yatra, Puri is coloured in the most vivid hues of sheer, joy & enjoyment and flocked with devotees; who wish to pay their honour to the deities and seek their blessings.