Adhar Pana to Niladri Bije: Rath Yatra draws to a close with sacred rituals
As Rath Yatra this year comes to a close today with the revered Niladri Bije ceremony, it will witness a unique tradition of Laxmi Narayan Kali where Lord Jagannath will offer Rasgulla to his consort Goddess Mahalaxmi to appease her, symbolising reconciliation after his absence from main temple during Rath Yatra.
Puri is gearing up for Niladri Bije, marking the grand finale of Rath Yatra after the Adhar Pana rituals were completed on Monday. The three wooden chariots of Trinity have been camping in front of Simhadwar (Lion’s Gate) of 12th-century Jagannath temple with deities atop since Sunday, after the return journey (Bahuda Yatra) of Lord Jagannath accompanied by his elder brother Lord Balabhadra and younger sister Devi Subhadra same day from Sri Gundicha temple at the other end of Bada Danda (Grand Road).
On Sunday evening, Suna Vesa of Lords was witnessed by devotees. The next evening, Adhar Pana, a sacred drink prepared with chhena (cottage cheese), milk, sugar, cardamom, camphor, nutmeg and other spices was prepared by Suara Sevayats using water sourced from a well near Simhadwar Chhauni Math, and carried in brass vessels by Paniya Apat Sevayats to maintain ritual purity. Held after Madhyana Dhupa, this ritual involved offering of the divine sweet drink of Adhar Pana in nine large barrel-shaped earthern pots – three for each deity on every chariot – symbolising humility, devotion and spiritual fulfillment.
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 earthern 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 Rath Yatra, set the stage for the festival’s culmination with Niladri Bije on July 8, when the deities return to Ratna Singhsana of the Jagannath Temple.
Today, the ceremonial procession known as Pahandi will start at 4pm and conclude by 10pm. Prior to Pahandi, rituals such as Aandhya 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.
India