✨Rath Yatra - रथ यात्रा

Neeladri Bije marks the end of the annual Rath Yatra festival and the return of Bhagwan Jagannath to the sanctum or you can tell a sweet story between Bhagwan Jagannath and his beloved wife Maa Mahalakshmi. On the day of the Niladri Bije ceremony, the Bhagwan returns to Sri Mandir with his brother and sister. On Neeladri Bije Bhagwan Jagannath presents Rasogolla to Devi Lakshmi as a gift.

The world famous Rath Yatra festival of the Holy Trinity ends with the Niladri Bije ritual.

Sandhya Darshan which is also known as Navami Darshan. The evening darshan of Bhagwan Jagannath on Ashadh Sulk Navami is very auspicious. During this, devotees have the last chance to worship and have darshan of the Trimurti - Bhagwan Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Bhagwan Jagannath deities at the Adap Mandap, the next day the deities return to their abode. Which is known as Bahuda Yatra.

Evening darshan at Sri Gundicha Temple is considered highly auspicious and helps a person wash away all sins.

From the day of Devshayani Ekadashi, Bhagwan Jagannath goes into his sleep for four months. Before this, Prabhu Jagannath must return to his main temple.

Hence, after the 8th day of the rath yatra, the journey to return to its main temple on Dashami date is known as Bahuda Yatra. During the Bahuda Yatra, Bhagwan Jagannath little bit stop at Devi Ardhasini`s house and take podapitha(Jaggery Sweet) as bhog. This temple of Maa Ardhasini is also known as Mausi Maa (Aunt of Bhagwan Jagannath) Temple.

Suna Besha, also known as Rajadhiraja Besha, Raja Besha and Rajarajeshwara Besha, is an event when the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are decorated with gold ornaments. Sunabhesha is celebrated 5 times in a year. It is usually celebrated on Magha Purnima, Bahuda Ekadashi, Dussehra, Kartik Purnima and Paus Purnima.

According to temple sources, in the past, the total weight of gold ornaments used to adorn the deities was more than 208 kg, initially made in 138 designs. However, now only 20-30 designs are used.

Before Ratha Yatra and Bahuda Yatra another interesting ritual performed, which is called Snan Yatra. Preparations for the ritual of Jagannath Rath Yatra begins long before the 18 day of Rath Yatra. On the day of Snan Yatra, the deities are bathed with 108 pots of ritually purified water drawn from the northern well of Jagannath temple to the accompaniment of religious incantations. Also Known a Snan Purnima.

After the Snan Yatra, the Gods are traditionally believed to fall ill for 15days. During this period known as Anasara the Gods cannot be seen by devotees. After 15days the deities recovered and give darshan to the bhakt’s. Which is called Nava Yoban Darshan or Netroutsav. The next day, Rath Yatra festival happen! Blog: Corona quarantine alike Bhagwan Jagannath’s Anasara

There is a tradition of embellishing Bhagwan Jagannath and Balabhadra in Gajanan or Hati Besh after the ceremonial bath of the Snan Yatra. After all, this ceremony is the prelude to the annual Rath Yatra. Lakhs of devotees from Sahan Mela visit Puri during this period to have 'darshan' of brother and sister deities. After this Bhagwan goes to Ansar for 14 days.

Netra Utsav is celebrated 14 days after Ansar, Bhagwan Jagannath, Maa Subhadra, Prabhu Balabhadra have recovered, and give darshan to the devotees. Temple sevak’s apply kajal to the bhagwan’s eyes and apply sandalwood, vermilion tilak and he is ready to appear in public.

Pahandi Beeje is a spectacular procession in which the deities are taken from their sanctum sanctorum to their respective chariots by sebayats, it is the most special and colorful ritual for the lakhs of devotees who gather to have a glimpse of the trinity. It is truly a spectacular sight to behold.

❀ The word Pahandi is derived from the Sanskrit word padamundanam, which in the local dialect means slow walk with legs spread. This is the special technique and method of carrying the idols from the sanctum sanctorum to their respective chariots by the Sebayats.

❀ The deities are taken out in dhadi pahandi (one after the other) in the following order – Sudarshan, Balabhadra, Subhadra and finally Bhagwan Jagannath is taken in a ceremonial procession from the Ratna Singhasan.

❀ Considering the weight of the idols of Bhagwan Jagannath and Balabhadra, a wooden cross is fixed on their back and thick silk ropes are tied around their head and waist for this ceremonial procession; A ritual called Senapata Lagi.

❀ It is on the seventh step of the Sri Mandir where Bhagwan Jagannath and Balabhadra receive Tahiya. These richly decorated huge heads are offered to the deities by the Raghav Das Math. (Tahiya is the most attractive and unique mukut made of natural materials and beautiful flowers. These are made from cane, bamboo sticks, thermocol and flowers)

❀ Adorned with richly decorated Tahiyas, the deities then start their journey and go through Ananda Bazar, Baisi Pahach, Singhadwar, Arun Stambha and finally taken to their respective chariots.

❀ Bhagwan Sudarshan comes out first amidst the sound of drums, bells and conch shells. It conceptually goes round the chariots to ensure that the arrangements for the Jatra are correct and proper. The idol being small and light is carried on the shoulders by the sevayat and then placed in Subhadra's chariot darpadalan.

❀ After this the Pahandi Beeje of Bhagwan Balabhadra begins. He is taken on his chariot called Taladhwaja.

❀ After this Devi Subhadra comes out. His idol being small and light is also carried on the shoulders of sevayat’s like Bhagwan Sudarshan.

❀ Soon after, the much-awaited Pahandi Beeje of Bhagwan Jagannath begins, he is taken on his chariot called Nandi Ghosh.

The Pahandi Beej of the deities is actually the most attractive sight of the Rath Yatra. The festival is filled with enthusiasm with devotees chanting Jai Jagannath every time the bright and smiling faces of the deities appear. Against the backdrop of the temple of the glorious Bhagwan Jagannath, three richly decorated chariots embracing the deities present a grand sight for lakhs of devotees.

Hera Panchami, is a ritual performed during the period of Rath Yatra in Jagannath Dham, Puri, Odisha. On the fifth day of Rath Yatra, this ritual performs by Mata Mahalaxmi in the bright fortnight of Ashadha (month).

Hera Panchami takes place at Gundicha Temple. On this day Lakshmi Mata, wife of Bhagwan Jagannath from the main temple arrives in the Gundicha temple as Suvarna Mahalakshmi. They are taken from the temple to the Gundicha temple in the palki (palanquin), where the pujari take them to the Garv Griha and make them meet Bhagwan Jagannath. Suvarna Mahalakshmi urges Bhagwan Jagannath to walk back to his Dham Shrimandir, the main temple of Puri.

Bhagwan Jagannath accepts his request and gives a garland (Agyan Mala) to Mata Lakshmi as his consent. Then in the evening, Mata Lakshmi returns from the Gundicha temple to the Jagannath temple. Before returning to the main temple, she gets angry and orders one of her servants to damage a part of Nandigosh, Bhagwan Jagannath's Rath (Chariot). This is called chariot breach (Rath Bhang).

Mata Mahalaxmi instructs all these things by hiding behind a tamarind tree outside the Gundicha Temple. After some time she escapes to Jagannath temple in secrecy through a separate pathway known as Hera Gouri Sahi (Lane).

As per Skanda Puran, Hera Panchami is one of the important rituals of Srimandir. Lakhs of Bhagwan Jagannath devotees enjoy this unique ritual.

A day after Suna Besh, when brothers and sisters shine in golden robes, huge pots filled with sweet drinks are offered as prasad to the three chariots. On the day of Ashadh Shukla Pakhya Dwadashi, this interesting ritual of adhara pana is performed. Click here to know in detail about Adhar Pana ritual.