Niladri Bije marks grand finale of Rath Yatra as Lord Jagannath returns to Ratna Bedi

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

PURI, JULY 28, 2026

The pilgrim city of Puri reverberated with chants of devotion and spiritual fervour on Monday as Lord Jagannath, along with His elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Devi Subhadra, returned to the sanctum sanctorum of the revered 12th-century Srimandir, marking the ceremonial conclusion of the world-famous annual Rath Yatra.

The return of the sibling deities to the Ratna Bedi, the bejewelled throne inside the sanctum sanctorum, was carried out through the age-old and deeply revered Pahandi procession as part of the Niladri Bije ritual. Thousands of devotees lined the Grand Road of the Holy City to witness the emotionally charged ceremony, bringing the spectacular annual chariot festival to a close.

In keeping with centuries-old temple tradition, Lord Sudarshan, the divine weapon of Lord Jagannath, was the first to be ceremonially escorted into the sanctum sanctorum. He was followed by Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, while Lord Jagannath entered last amid thunderous chants of "Jai Jagannath" and the rhythmic sounds of traditional gongs, cymbals and conches.

One of the most cherished moments of the Niladri Bije ritual was the symbolic reconciliation between Lord Jagannath and His divine consort, Goddess Laxmi. According to temple tradition, Goddess Laxmi was displeased as She had been left behind while Lord Jagannath and His siblings embarked on the annual Rath Yatra. Before entering the temple, Lord Jagannath offered the famous Rasagola to appease the Goddess, a ritual that signifies love, forgiveness and reunion. The ceremonial offering was performed in accordance with long-standing temple customs, a servitor said.

The annual Rath Yatra had commenced on July 16, when Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra embarked on their sacred journey from the Srimandir to the Srigundicha Temple aboard their magnificently decorated chariots. After halting midway for the night, the deities reached Saradhabali near the Srigundicha Temple on July 17 and were ceremonially escorted to the Adapa Mandap of the temple the following day, where they stayed during their nine-day sojourn.

Following the completion of their stay at the Srigundicha Temple, the deities began their return journey during the Bahuda Yatra on July 24 and arrived at the Lions' Gate of the Srimandir. On July 25, they were adorned with the dazzling Suna Besha, when the deities appeared in magnificent golden attire atop their chariots, attracting lakhs of devotees from across the country and abroad.

The religious festivities continued on July 26 with the performance of Adharapana, a unique ritual during which the sibling deities were offered a specially prepared sweet drink while seated on their chariots. The final Niladri Bije ceremony on Monday completed the series of sacred rituals associated with the annual Rath Yatra, symbolising the divine homecoming of the Lords and reaffirming the timeless spiritual traditions of Jagannath culture that continue to inspire millions of devotees worldwide.