Goddess Mahalaxmi set to break Nandighosa on ‘Hera Panchami’ today

Puri: It is time for some sulking and temper tantrums as Goddess Mahalaxmi left behind at Srimandir by Lord Jagannath, decides to teach Him a lesson. Jealous, she goes on to damage a part of the Nandighosa chariot parked outside Gundicha Temple on Wednesday.

The ritual known as ‘Hera Panchami’ is celebrated on the fifth day of the Rath Yatra, a day on which Lord Jagannath , Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra leave Srimandir for a nine day sojourn to Gundicha temple leaving behind  Goddess Mahalaxmi.

As per rituals, on this day, servitors carry Goddess Mahalaxmi to the Gundicha Temple on a palanquin in a grand procession. After reaching the temple, the Goddess makes a halt near Nandighosha where she is welcomed with ceremonial  ‘Bandapana’. Later, she is taken to Lord Jagannath through the ‘Jaya Bijaya Dwara’ where she is receives an ‘agyan mala’ (a garland of consent) taken out from the body of Lord Jagannath.

While returning, she asks her servitor to break a part of the Nandighosa and later returns to the Srimandir through Nakachana gate via Gohiri Sahi route.

On the other hand, a sea of devotees thronged the Gundicha Temple to have a glimpse of the Trinity atop the ‘Adapa Mandap’.