Puri: Twelve days after Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and his divine weapon Lord Sudarshan embarked on their chariots for their annual sojourn at the Shree Gundicha Temple, returned to their abode- the sanctum sanctorum of the 12th century shrine-Shree Jagannath Temple with the Niladri Bije ritual on Saturday night.
Niladri Bije, marks the end of the Rath Yatra festival. After the completion of Sandhya Dhupa on the chariots amidst the rhythm of cymbals, trumpets, drums, flute and conch Gotipua and Odissi dancers leading the procession Madan Mohan and Ramakrushna were first taken into the temple followed by Lord Sudarshan, Devi Subhadra, Lord Balabhadra, and in the end Lord Jagannath who were escorted to the sanctum sanctorum.The deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were carried to the Ratna Singhasana, the bejeweled throne, in the sanctum sanctorum of the Shree Jagannath Temple from their respective chariots in Goti Pahandi.
In Goti Pahandi, the deities move one after another, which means the next deity only moves from the chariot only after the former reached the Ratna Singhasana.
Ahead of the entry of Lord Jagannath, a ritualistic war of words took place between the servitors of lord Jagannath and those of his consort Mahalaxmi.
By the orders of Mahalaxmi, the temple gate was closed to prevent entry of Lord Jagannath for not taking Mahalaxmi along in the nine-day pleasure trip to Shree Gundicha Temple. To please Mahalaxmi, the Lord offered rasagola and the temple gates opened.
The day was also celebrated as Rasagola Dibasa, a day dedicated to the famous sweet offered to the Triad, particularly on Niladri Bije.
On the day, hundreds of devotees offered rasagola to deities on chariots before Pahandi.
Regular nitis (rituals) in the temple would resume with Mahasnana (the grand bath) of the deities while devotees will get Mahaprasad known as ‘Nilachal Abadha’ from tomorrow (Sunday).
