•||PHASE ONE OF THE STORY ||•

[ MATA VISITING THE GUDICHA TEMPLE ON THE HERA PANCHAMI ]

( Hera means 'to see' and here the word Panchami means 'fifth day. Hera Panchami is celebrated at Gudicha Temple on Fifth Day of Rath Yatra in Puri. )

Lord Jagannath leaves the Shree Jagannath Temple and goes for a nine-day-sojourn with His siblings, Lord Balabhadra & Devi Subhadra, to their aunt’s place at Gundicha temple, located few kilometres away. Lord Jagannath does not take His wife, Goddess Lakshmi along with Him.

( The Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri is known as the ‘Srimandira’. ‘Sri’ means Lakshmi, and the name Srimandira signifies that Goddess Lakshmi is the principal Goddess. )

As Ratha Yatra separates Goddess Lakshmi from Lord Jagannath, she awaits his return to the Srimandir. Lord had promised her to come on next day to meet her. But he didn't came.

As four nights pass and Goddess Lakshmi wants Her Husband to come back, being concerned, She takes the advice of Goddess Bimala. The latter gives Goddess Lakshmi ‘Mohana Churna’ (a powder to attract husband) for Lord Jagannath’s early return.

Goddess Lakshmi decides to visit Lord Jagannath in Gundicha temple where He is there with His brother & sister. In the evening, Goddess Lakshmi is carried to the Gundicha temple in a bimana (decorated palanquin) by servitors with great pomp and show with traditional music and a colourful procession via the Grand Road of Puri.

After reaching the Gundicha temple, the procession makes a halt near the Nandighosha Ratha, the chariot of Lord Jagannath. Goddess Lakshmi is welcomed with ceremonial offerings. She enters the Gundicha temple during the evening rituals and throws the ‘Mohana Churna’. On behalf of Lord Jagannath, She receives an ‘Agyan Mala’ (a garland of consent). The door is closed. Goddess Lakshmi feels neglected and angry.

She comes out of the Gundicha temple where a servitor worships Her with offerings. Being jealous and angry of Her husband’s enjoyment with His siblings, and to teach Him a lesson for ignoring Her, She asks Her servitors to break a part of His chariot. A small part is symbolically broken.

As the Goddess feels guilty of causing damage to Nandighosha, She secretly returns to Srimandira without any procession and fanfare via a lane called the Hera Gohiri Sahi of Puri.

• • • • •

•||PHASE TWO OF THE STORY||•

[ LORD PACIFYING THE ANGER OF MATA BY OFFERING HER RASAGOLLA ]

(This incidence is occurring in Srimandira in case if anybody gets confused)

The Niladri Bije ritual is currently underway, marking the final ceremony of Rath Yatra. The deities are being taken inside the main temple one by one, amidst a grand procession. The procession begins from the Jaya - Vijaya entrance, where each deity is carefully brought down from their respective chariots. As one deity is placed on the Ratna Singhasana, the ceremonial procession for the next deity commences. This sacred ritual is known as Goti Pahandi.

Lord Sudarshan Chakra is currently being carried into the temple, followed by Lord Balbhadra and Devi Subhadra. However, as Lord Jagannath's turn arrives, Mata's servitors are presently blocking the entrance, refusing to let him enter the temple premises on Mata's order. She is visibly upset with Lord Jagannath, still hurt that he didn't allow her to accompany him to the Gudicha Temple earlier.

He tried to convince her but she refuses to let him in. A tug of war of words was started between the servitors of Mahaalaxmi and the servitors of Lord Jagannath, in front of the temple.

The entry of the Lord Jagannath into the temple is slow as he moves inside swaying back and forth with the short pauses. The swaying moment was being possible due to the Kanchan mala tied to his waist.

(Kanchan mala is the snake Kalia Naag which Krishna had killed in Vrindavan. Kalia had asked for the forgiveness from Krishna when he was guilty for poisoning the pure water of the Yamuna. Lord Krishna accepted his apology and served him the task of serving the Lord as Kalianjanagada or Kanchan Mala, the rope, tied around the Lord's waist. )

Lord Jagannath climbs up the 22 stairs and reaches the Jaya-Vijaya dwara. This door will lead him to the Ratna Singhasana. But now again, the Goddess's servitors shutted the door so he can't enter.

(Peoples let's not forget that it was their leela planned otherwise how can our mata be angry on our Lord? This leelas are performed by them for some or the other reason and the one who is getting benefitted by their Leelas is us! How? Without such leelas how would we know him? How would be able to serve him? I hope you understood the reason. Especially the ones who are thinking 'How could Mata Mahalaxmi did this and why?')

That's when Bachanika (war of words but we can't say it's an argument) began between both of them at this point. A certain point come when Mahalakshmi cursed the Lord for leaving her behind at temples for such a long time. As a response to this ceaseless curse, the servitors of the Lord started placing their modest calls for allowing him to enter inside.

"कबाट मुदघटा हे सिन्धु कन्यके समर्पयमि सुविचित्र मम्बरविधम् ।" Lord humbly requested her several times which meant, "O Sindhu Kanya! I have to give you unique things"

Finally Mata Mahalakshmi opened the door letting him enter inside. Mata looked at him with questioning eyes. That's when Lord presented several new clothes to her and he also gave her Rasagollas for cajoling her. A sweet smile appeared on her face after seeing them.

* * *

That's how the reconciliation happened between both of them.  This event is also called as 'Manabhanjana' that is the pacification of Goddess Mahalakshmi by offering of sweet Rasagollas. Thus 'Niladri Bije' is also celebrated as 'Rasagolla Dibasa'.

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Another One Shot Story on our beloved Lord Jagannath! It's one of my favourite story of him 🤭 Literally his ideas to pacify our Mata is always unique and having the ability to set standard among everyone, isn't it? 👀😁

Hope you all liked the story 🥰 Also was I able to explain it in a better way? And if there is any mistake in the chapter do inform me without any hesitation!

Also I am sorry for the irregular updates as I am not getting time to write and whenever I do have I feel to do rest and rest and nowadays I am just not feeling well 🤧 But no worries I will surely try my best to give you all updates...Next update in 2-3 days ig? I promise I will!

Jai Jagannath Swami ✨🙏🏻