Puri: Niladri Bije of Lord Jagannath today, Mahaprabhu to Appease Goddess Mahalakshmi with Rasagola

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Puri: Niladri Bije of Lord Jagannath today. Mahaprabhu will appease Goddess Mahalakshmi with Rasagola today.

Today is Niladri Bije – the most emotional festival/episode of Lord Jagannath culture. This is all about the divine tale of Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s homecoming after famous Rath Yatra and Rasagola Dibasa. The final episode of the world-famous Shri Gundicha Yatra or Rath Yatra is ‘Niladri Bije’.

After 9 days of separation on Niladri Bije today, that is – Ashadha Shukla Trayodashi, Jagannath – the Lord of the Universe, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan descend from their chariots and return to their original seat, the ‘Ratna Singhasan’ inside their original abode, the Srimandira. This sacred ritual is called Niladri Bije.

In scriptural terms, ‘Niladri’ means Shri Kshetra or the holy Shri Mandira, and ‘Bije’ means a gracious arrival, entry, or taking one’s seat.

Rituals of Today  

The Pahandi during Niladri Bije is different from the Dhadi Pahandi of Rath Yatra. Here it’s Goti Pahandi – one deity enters completely before the next one begins.

The order:

• Lord Sudarshan is taken to the throne first
• Then Lord Balabhadra enters Shri Mandira with majestic steps
• Next, the loving sister Devi Subhadra
• Finally, Kalia Saantha Lord Jagannath himself descends from the Nandighosha chariot and proceeds toward Srimandira

Divine quarrel between Lord of the Universe and His consort

The most interesting, sweet and dramatic part is the maana-abhimana between Mahaprabhu Jagannath and Maa Mahalakshmi. Maa Lakshmi is upset and angry because Mahaprabhu left her alone in Srimandira and went to Gundicha Ghara with his brother and sister for 9 days.

Hence, today, after Lord Sudarshan, when Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra enter the temple, Maa Mahalaxmi doesn’t stop them. Yet, when Kalia Saantha reaches the Jaya-Vijaya Dwara (to enter the temple), by Maa Lakshmi’s command, the servitors shut the heavy wooden doors right in front of Mahaprabhu.

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Then begins the beautiful poetic argument called ‘Bachanika’ through the servitors.

Maa Lakshmi asks in anger: “Why did you leave me and go alone?”

Lord Jagannath accepts his fault, asks forgiveness and tries to explain. When words alone don’t work, the Lord of the Universe offers Maa Lakshmi with ‘Rasagola’, to appease Her, as a token of love. And with the sweetness of this Rasagola, all of Maa’s anger and pride melt away instantly. She opens the doors and welcomes Mahaprabhu.

To remember this ancient tradition of Mahaprabhu appeasing Maa Lakshmi with Rasagola, ‘Rasagola Dibasa’ is celebrated across Odisha on Niladri Bije.

The Essence

Niladri Bije is the highest expression of similarity between God and human beings. In Jagannath culture, God is not just an object of worship – He is a family member, a husband, a brother.

Once the deities take their seats on the Ratna Singhasan, the daily rituals, public darshan and the famous Mahaprasad seva resume in Srimandira. And with this, the great festival of Rath Yatra concludes for that year.

Jai Jagannath! Jai Maa Mahalakshmi

Watch the video here:

Also read: Adhara Pana ritual of Lord Jagannath and siblings concludes

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