The 12-day-long famous RathYatra came to an end here in Puri on Friday night with Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra making their Niladri Bije (entry to the Shreemandir).

At late night, the holy siblings were enthroned on the Ratna Singhasan, the bejeweled throne. Before going to bed, they were served Pakhal (soaked rice) as supper, which is not for public sale.

The public can get Abhada (rice dishes) on Saturday, which is famous as Nilachal Abhada. The Abhada makes prominence, as the deities will be offered rice and pulses with varieties of curries for the first time after returning from the Rath Yatra.

During their stay on the chariots, the deities are usually offered fruits, milks and dry foods without rice dishes. After the Bahuda Yatra, the Lords will first taste the home made cuisines in the Shreemandir.

The day was also celebrated as Rasogola day as Lord Jagannath pacified the anguish of Mahalakshmi with the sweetmeat. As Lord Jagannath had visited the Gundicha Temple without taking Mahalakshmi with Him, the Goddess got irritated and blocked His entry to the temple by shutting the Lions’ Gate.  Lord Jagannath confessed His mistake and offered her Rasogola. The ritual was also observed during entry of Lord Jagannath, which is famous as Lakshmi-Narayan Kali (quarrel).

To mark the cheerful return of Lords, quintals of Rasagolas were offered on board the chariots.  However, due to Covid restriction on public entry, Rasagola offerings were limited to only servitors, Sadhus of mutts and persons present on duty.

As per schedule, Pahandi Bije began at 4 pm as Lord Sudarshan was first to enter the Shreemandir. Later, the three siblings entered through Goti Pahandi (marching one after another) and were established in the sanctum sanctorum by the Daitapati servitors.

The Daitapati servitors left the temple at night. Notably, Daitapati servitors have only rites during a month starting from Snan Yatra (bathing ceremony) up to the Niladri Bije.