Lord Jagannath, Siblings To Return To Srimandir As Niladri Bije Marks Grand Finale Of Rath Yatra
The Niladri Bije Pahandi will commence at 4 pm. The seven deities will be escorted into the temple in the traditional Goti Pahandi procession. Ahead of the ceremonial entry, servitors will prepare the Ratna Singhasana by tying the sacred canopy and placing the Akhanda Baitha
Bhubaneswar: The annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath will draw to a ceremonial close on Monday evening with the observance of Niladri Bije, the sacred ritual marking the return of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra to the sanctum sanctorum of the Shree Jagannath Temple, also called Srimandir, in Odisha’s Puri after their 27-day sojourn.
The Chaturdha Murti will reoccupy the revered Ratna Singhasana, bringing to an end the annual festival that began with the Snana Yatra and included the deities' stay at the Janmabedi (Gundicha Temple) and their return journey during Bahuda Yatra.
According to the schedule announced by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the Niladri Bije Pahandi will commence at 4 pm. The seven deities will be escorted into the temple in the traditional Goti Pahandi procession. Ahead of the ceremonial entry, servitors will prepare the Ratna Singhasana by tying the sacred canopy and placing the Akhanda Baitha.
The rituals will begin after the completion of the Sandhya Dhupa on the three chariots. As per tradition, Sri Madanmohan and Sri Ramakrushna will first be taken to the Dakhina Ghara, followed by the ceremonial entry of Sri Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. Lord Jagannath, the last to enter the temple, will be escorted amid elaborate rituals and devotional fervour.
One of the most awaited ceremonies of Niladri Bije is the symbolic Lakshmi–Narayan Kali, in which Goddess Lakshmi playfully blocks Lord Jagannath's entry into the temple, expressing her displeasure over His prolonged absence. The ritual concludes with Lord Jagannath offering Rasgola to appease the Goddess, a tradition that has become an integral part of Odisha's cultural and religious heritage.
SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee said all preparations had been completed for the smooth conduct of the rituals.
“All preparations for the Niladri Bije ritual are complete. We hope and pray for the smooth conduct of all rituals from Mangala Alati to Sandhya Dhupa, after which the Niladri Bije ceremony will be held in the evening. We will extend all necessary support to the Nijogs so that every ritual is completed on time and with proper coordination,” he said.
Puri Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida said elaborate administrative and security arrangements had been made in view of the expected rush of devotees.
“Comprehensive arrangements have been made by the Police, Fire Services and other departments. As heavy rainfall has been forecast, de-watering teams have been kept ready for immediate deployment. Health teams will remain stationed at strategic locations, while the entire situation will be monitored round-the-clock from the integrated control room,” he said.
Thousands of devotees from across the country and abroad are expected to witness the concluding ritual, which signifies the return of the sibling deities to their eternal abode and marks the formal culmination of the world-famous Rath Yatra festival.
