With the Niladri Bije ritual on Friday, the nine-day-long annual sojourn of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra came to an end.
In the Niladri Bije ritual the deities return to Their abode. The most significant part of this ritual is the portrayal of heavenly love and affection between Lord Jagannath and His wife Goddess Lakshmi.
The process for the ‘Niladri Bije’ ritual started after ‘sandhya Dhupa. Charamalas were fixed to each of the three chariots. Meanwhile, Mudiratha servitors offered puspanajali (floral offerings) to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra on their respective chariots and carried out the “doralagi” ritual. Kahalia servitors blew a bugle after which the Pahandi of Lord Jagannath and His siblings began.
First, Mahajan servitors took the ancillary divinities like- Rama, Krushna from Taladhwaja and Madan Mohan from Nandighosh to Dakshini Ghara on Srimandir premises in ‘Goti Pahandi’. Later, Lord Sudarshan was taken to the temple from Goddess Subhadra’s chariot Darpadalana.
After the Pahandi of Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were taken to the bejeweled altar (Ratna Bedi). And at last, the pahandi of the sovereign of the cosmos Lord Jagannath took place.
The deity was installed on the Dambaru at Bheta Mandap. This service is done by Mahajana servitors. Then, the Patimahapatra servitors offered sandal paste, alati, dhandi prasad, durbakshata, bandapana, dahipati, ghasa, Bidia to the deities.
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Bhitarachha Mahapatra offered a sacred lamp to Goddess Lakshmi. But Goddess Lakshmi, who was left alone in the Srimandir during the annual sojourn of Lord Jagannath and His siblings, directed to close the main gate (Lions’ gate) of the temple. However, Lord Jagannath proceeded to the Lions’ Gate and it opened.
Thereafter, Lord Jagannath was taken to Jagamohana through Baisi Pahacha, Ananda Bazaar, Bhitara Bedha and Sata Pahacha.
Goddess Lakshmi, who was already upset, closed the Jaya-Bijaya door. She was angry with Lord Jagannath for not taking Her along with Him during the annual sojourn.
Then the beauty of the ritual unfolded. An exchange of words broke out between the Devadasi (women servitors) on behalf of Lakshmi and Badagrahi Daitas and other Daitapatis on behalf of Lord Jagannath.
Later, Lord Jagannath assured Goddess Lakshmi that He would not repeat it again. Thereafter, Goddess Lakshmi directed to open Jaya-Bijay doors for Him. At last near the storehouse, Lord Jagannath looked to the north and similarly, Goddess Lakshmi looked to the south and both exchanged looks. The Bhittarchha servitors untied the nuptial knot and offered Bandapana. In order to pacify His better half, Lord Jagannath offered Her Rasagollas.
Thereafter, Lord Jagannath and His siblings were enthroned on the bejeweled altar and the Daitas and Patimahapatra servitors offered sandal paste.
With the removal of charamala from the bejeweled altar by Kothasuansia servitors, the Niladri Bije ritual came to an end, bringing down the curtains on the nine-day-long annual sojourn.