Puri Rath Yatra festival to conclude with Niladri Bije ceremony on Tuesday

As the Rath Yatra of this year comes to a close on Tuesday with the ‘Niladri Bije’ ceremony, it will witness a unique tradition of Laxmi Narayan Kali (quarrel) where Lord Jagannath will offer Rasgulla sweets to his consort Goddess Mahalaxmi in order to appease her, symbolising reconciliation after his absence from the main temple during Rath Yatra.

 

The holy city of Puri is getting ready for Niladri Bije, a day after the Adhar Pana rituals of Lords were completed on Monday.

 

The three wooden chariots of the Trinity have been camping in front of Simhadwar (Lion’s Gate) of the 12th century Jagannath temple with the deities atop since Sunday. 

 

Lord Jagannath, accompanied by his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra, returned from Sri Gundicha temple at the other end of Bada Danda (Grand Road) on Sunday.

 

On Monday evening, Adhar Pana, a sacred drink prepared with proper blending of chhena (cheese), milk, sugar, cardamom, camphor, nutmeg and other spices was prepared by Suara Sevayats using water sourced from a well near Simhadwar Chhauni Math, carried in brass vessels by Paniya Apat Sevayats to maintain ritual purity. Held after Madhyana Dhupa, this ritual involved the offering of the divine sweet drink of Adhar Pana in nine large barrel-shaped earthen pots—three for each deity on every chariot, symbolising humility, devotion and spiritual fulfilment.

 

The Bada Odia Mutt and Raghav Das Mutt, in collaboration with the temple administration, crafted this offering. After a Panchopachar puja by Palia Puja Panda servitors, the earthen pots were ceremonially broken on the Rathas, an act believed to satisfy the deities on the chariot sides, including Chandi Chamunda, and bring peace to disembodied souls. This ceremony also drew lakhs of devotees.

 

The Adhar Pana, a pivotal moment of the car festival set the stage for the festival’s culmination with Niladri Bije on Tuesday when the deities return to Ratna Singhsana of the Jagannath temple. Adhar Pana ritual, with its profound symbolism of surrender and devotion, underscores the rich cultural and religious heritage of Odisha.

 

On Tuesday, the ceremonial procession known as Pahandi will commence at 4 pm and conclude by 10 pm. Before Pahandi, rituals such as Sandhya Alati (evening worship), Sandhya Dhupa (evening offering) and Charamala Bandha will be performed on the chariots. The throne will be cleaned by Palia sevakas, followed by  Pushpanjali (floral offerings) to the deities. The Niladri Bije rituals include Mahasnana (grand bathing), Rosa Homa (fire ritual), Mailama (removal of previous adornments), Chandan Lagi (sandalwood application), Surya Puja, Dwarapala Puja, Bada Singha  Besha (grand adornment) and Ratra Pahauda (night rest). 

 

The temple administration has made elaborate arrangements for this sacred event, expected to draw thousands of devotees to witness divine homecoming.

India