Puri: On the auspicious occasion of Niladri Bije, the deities of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra returned to their Abode-Shree Mandir today drawing curtains on the annual Rath Yatra for this year.
The servitors escorted the deities from their respective chariots to the Ratna Singhasana inside the temple in a ceremonial procession namely ‘Goti Pahandi’ (the next deity moves from the chariot only after the former deity reaches his/her destination).
As per age-old tradition, after Lord Sudarshana Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were ushered in into the temple, Devi Mahalakshmi-Lord Jagannath’s consort closed the Jaya Vijaya Dwar preventing him from entering the temple displaying her anguish for being left alone while he was accompanied by his siblings to Gundicha temple on a nine-day sojourn.
Lord Jagannath then entreated Devi Mahalakshmi by offering her rasagola to appease her. Eventually, Devi Mahalakshmi allowed Lord Jagannath to enter the temple.
Lakhs of devotees congregated in Puri to watch the spectacle. Devotees offered rasagolas to Lord Jagannath as an offering.
