Puri, July 12 : Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and devi Subhadra, popularly called the trinity, the three presiding deities of Sri Jagannath temple, were escorted into the sanctum sanctorum from their respective chariot by Daita servitors popularly called as Niladri Bije (homecoming of Trinity).
The deities after staying nine days in Gundicha temple r began his Bahuda (return journey) on Saturday and reached Lion’s gate by late evening. They stayed on their respective chariots parked in front of Simhadwar, the main entrance to Sri Jagannath temple.
After spending three days on the chariots for observance of important rituals like “Suna Vesha”( Golden attire) followed by Adharpana(offering of rich drink) on the next day the deities were escorted into sanctum sanctorum of temple in Pahandi after offering of Rassogolla bhog.
The priests on the morning performed daily chores of the deities like “Mangala arati, Abakash, Tadaplagi, Mailum, rosahoma, Surya puja and dwarpal puja” and offered fruits as bhog to the deities on the chariots.
After Sandhya Dhupa offering, the preparation for Pahandi began with fixing of ladders (chara-mara) onto the chariots and to the Ratnasimhasan in the Garbhagriha of the temple.
Pahandi procession was conducted over one hour in advance by 6.10 PM amidst traditional temple musicians playing cymbals, trumpets, ghantas, drums, mrudanga, flute and bugles to conventional musical notes while Gotipua and Odissi dancers led the procession.
Madan Mohan and Ramakrushna were first taken into the temple followed by Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra, devi Subhadra and in the end lord Jagannath was escorted by Daita servitors in Pahandi.
They were installed in their respective seats on the Ratna Singhasana in the garbhagriha.
A two layer security cordon was put around the deities during Pahandi to prevent any unauthorised person from touching the deities.
A traditional play was enacted between the servitors of lord Jagannath and his consort Mahalaxmi.
By the order of Mahalaxmi the temple gate was closed to prevent entry of lord Jagannath for not taking Mahalaxmi on the nine day pleasure trip to Sri Gundicha temple.
While lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra were allowed to enter the temple the door was slammed on the face of lord Jagannath.
Lord then offers Mahalaxmi rasgullas to pacify her anger. After a long persuasion the temple gate opened for lord Jagannath.
This home coming of the deities is popularly called “Niladri Bije” and with this the ratha yatra curtains were down.
Taking cues from the lord Jagannath, hundreds of devotees offered rasgullas as bhog to deities on chariots before Pahandi and distributed among them.This was the only occasion when rosgulla was offered to the deities.
Regular nitees would resume beginning with Mahasnan (the grand bath) followed by a fresh set of nitees concluding with Badasinghar (night dress) and Pahuda (sleeping) would be observed.
The devotees would get mahaprasad known as “Nilachal abhada” on Wednesday.
As per the religious practice lord Jagannath will supposedly go for four month long slumber beginning from Ekadasi known as Hari sayan ekadashi.
During this period all the ceremonies like marriage, thread ceremony and consecration of temples, yajna and homa are forbidden.
