Niladri Bije 2026: Jagannath Rath Yatra is considered one of the most celebrated festivals in Hinduism that takes place every year. During the Rath Yatra, devotees get the rare opportunity to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath with his siblings, as the Lord himself comes out of his temple to meet his devotees. Thousands of people from around the world visit Puri just to catch a glimpse of Lord Jagannath.
After the Rath Yatra reaches Gundicha temple, Lord Jagannath stays there with his siblings for nine days. However, when he returns to Sri Mandir, Goddess Lakshmi does not allow him to enter the temple immediately.
What Is Niladri Bije?
Niladri Bije is the last ritual of Rath Yatra and falls on the Ashadha Shukla Paksha Trayodashi. It marks the homecoming of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to the Sri Mandir through the Goti Pahandi procession. During the procession, the deities enter the temple one after the other.
According to the tradition, the next deity begins moving only after the previous deity has reached the Ratna Singhasana (the sanctum sanctorum).
As per tradition, Lord Sudarshan, the divine weapon of Lord Jagannath, is the first to enter the temple sanctum sanctorum, followed by Lord Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, while Lord Jagannath enters last. This ritual marks the conclusion of the Rath Yatra.
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Niladri Bije is the last ritual of Rath Yatra and falls on the Ashadha Shukla Paksha Trayodashi (Image: Pexels)
Why Is Goddess Lakshmi Offered Rasgulla?
Before Lord Jagannath enters the temple, a unique and symbolic ritual takes place between the servitors of Lord Jagannath and Goddess Lakshmi. According to mythology, Goddess Lakshmi is believed to be upset because Lord Jagannath went to the Gundicha temple with his siblings and did not take her with him.
The Mahajana servitors place Lord Jagannath on the dambaru at Bheta Mandap while the Patimahapatra servitors perform rituals of applying sandalwood, alati, dhandi prasad, durvakshata, bandapana, ghasa, and bidia to the deities. The Bhitarachha Mahapatra then offers a sacred lamp to Goddess Lakshmi.
Since Goddess Lakshmi had remained alone at the Sri Mandir during Lord Jagannath's stay, she orders the main gate (Lion’s Gate) of the temple to be closed. However, Lord Jagannath arrives at the gate, and it eventually opens.
Later, Lord Jagannath is taken to Jagamohana through Baisi Pahacha, Ananda Bazaar, Bhitara Bedha and Sata Pahacha, the sacred areas inside the temple. Goddess Lakshmi, who is already upset, closes the Jaya-Vijaya door. A symbolic tug-of-war takes place between the Devadasi (representing Goddess Lakshmi) and Daitapati (representing Lord Jagannath).
To calm Goddess Lakshmi's anger, Lord Jagannath promises that he will not repeat the mistake. As a gesture of love and apology, he offers ‘Rasgulla’ to Goddess Lakshmi. Pleased by his gesture, Goddess Lakshmi accepts his apology and opens the gates for him.
Niladri Bije is the only day when Rasgullas are offered to the deities in Sri Mandir.
ALSO READ: Why Is Khichdi Offered To Lord Jagannath? The Emotional Story Of Karmabai Behind This Sacred Bhog
To calm Goddess Lakshmi's anger, Lord Jagannath offers Rasgulla as an apology to her (Image: Facebook/krishnachandraswain)
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Since 2015, the people of Odisha have been celebrating this day as Rasgulla Dibasa.
This beautiful ritual of Niladri Bije symbolises how a husband should honour and respect his wife's wishes. Even if there are conflicts or anger in a relationship, with love, care and understanding, the issue can be resolved.