Puri: The annual Rath Yatra festivities will conclude on Monday with the observance of Niladri Bije, the sacred ritual marking the return of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sri Sudarshan to the Shree Jagannath Temple (Srimandir) in Puri.
After remaining away from the temple for 27 days following Snana Yatra and their stay at the Janmabedi inside the Gundicha Temple, the sibling deities will ceremonially reoccupy the Ratna Singhasana, bringing the grand annual festival to its conclusion.
Niladri Bije Pahandi to Begin at 4 PM
According to the schedule announced by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the Niladri Bije Pahandi will commence at 4:00 pm.
Before the procession begins, servitors will prepare the sanctum by tying the ceremonial canopy over the three-sided Ratna Singhasana and placing the Akhanda Baitha.
Following the completion of the Sandhya Dhupa ritual on the chariots, the ceremonial procession will begin in the traditional Goti Pahandi style.
The sequence of the procession will be:
- Sri Madanmohan and Sri Ramakrushna to the Dakhina Ghara.
- Sri Sudarshan.
- Lord Balabhadra.
- Devi Subhadra.
- Lord Jagannath, who will enter the temple last.
Lakshmi–Narayan Kali: The Divine Ritual of Reconciliation
One of the most anticipated moments of Niladri Bije is the Lakshmi–Narayan Kali, the symbolic exchange between Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Jagannath.
According to temple tradition, Goddess Lakshmi blocks Lord Jagannath’s entry into the Srimandir, expressing her displeasure over being left behind during the Rath Yatra.
To reconcile with the Goddess, Lord Jagannath offers Rasgola, symbolising affection and reconciliation. The ritual commemorates the divine reunion and holds deep cultural and religious significance in Odisha.
Elaborate Arrangements for Devotees
Authorities have completed extensive security and crowd management preparations to ensure the smooth conduct of the final Rath Yatra ritual, which is expected to draw lakhs of devotees.
SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee said all preparations have been completed and expressed hope that every ritual—from Mangala Alati to Sandhya Dhupa and the evening Niladri Bije ceremony—will be conducted smoothly with the cooperation of all temple servitors.
Rain Preparedness and Safety Measures
Puri Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida said comprehensive arrangements have been made considering the expected large gathering and the possibility of heavy rainfall.
Police, Fire Services, and Health Department teams have been deployed across the pilgrim town. Authorities have also arranged rapid de-watering systems to tackle waterlogging in case of rain and established continuous monitoring through a central control room to ensure public safety throughout the event.
With Niladri Bije, the annual Rath Yatra festival reaches its spiritual culmination as the deities return to the sanctum of the Srimandir, concluding one of India’s most revered religious celebrations.
