Niladri Bije, observed on the Trayodashi tithi of the bright fortnight of Ashadha month, marks the final and most intimate ritual of the annual Rath Yatra. It is the homecoming of the Trinity, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Sudarshan, after their divine sojourn to the Gundicha Temple.
As per tradition, the deities are brought back into the Srimandir through the Jay Vijaya Dwar in a unique ceremonial procession known as Goti Pahandi. In this ritual, one deity is taken inside and placed on the Ratna Singhasan before the next is escorted in.
However, the return of Lord Jagannath is not without drama. According to the tradition, once Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra enter the sanctum, Goddess Laxmi, upset at being left behind during the journey, locks the temple gates. She refuses to let Lord Jagannath enter, expressing her displeasure for being excluded.
What follows is a divine persuasion. Lord Jagannath pleads for forgiveness, and eventually offers his consort Rasagolas—soft, syrup-soaked sweets made of chhena. The sweet gesture melts her anger, and the Goddess finally opens the gates, allowing Mahaprabhu to re-enter the Srimandir. This touching moment symbolizes reconciliation, love, and the restoration of harmony.
In honour of this legendary episode, the people of Odisha began celebrating Rasagola Dibasa from July 30, 2015, on Niladri Bije. Since then, it has become a sweet celebration of Odia heritage, tradition, and faith.