Rath Yatra 2020 Comes To End With Deities Back At Sri Mandir

Rath Yatra 2020 Comes To End With Deities Back At Sri Mandir

This year, Rath Yatra was conducted amid much speculation. For the first time, the entire event happened without the presence of any devotee. The final rituals after the Bahuda Yatra include Suna Besha where the Trinity are adorned in gold jewelery, Adhara Pana, during which they are offered a traditional sweet drink called panaa and Niladri Bije, which is an enactment of a fight between the divine couple – Lord Jagannath and Goddess Mahalakshmi. During this fight, the lord pacifies her by offering rasagola, after which she allows him into the temple. 

Check out these amazing pictures of all the age-old traditions and rituals.

– An enchanting view of the three chariots after reaching the Sri Mandir.

– A man walks on Bada danda (grand road) devoid of devotees.

– The holy trinity adorns golden jewellery during the suna besha ritual.

– During adhara pana niti, nine huge barrel-shaped earthen pitchers are placed (three on each chariot) in front of the trinity, touching their lips. 

– The drink is offered to the deities while the Shodasa Upachara Puja is performed during the adhara pana niti.

– At the end of adhara pana niti, the pitchers are smashed spilling the contents on the platform of the chariot.

– Lord Jagannath is being taken to the Sri Mandir during the Niladri Bije.

– Niladri Bije is the last ritual of Rath Yatra. During this ritual, Jagannath is not allowed to enter the temple by Goddess Laxmi. She closes the doors as she is angry with him for not taking her on his vacation. He is allowed inside only when he consoles her with a pata bastra (silk saree) and rasagola.