Puri: Amid the chants of thousands of devotees, the sacred Niladri Bije ritual of Lord Jagannath and His Siblings was performed this evening, marking the conclusion of the annual Rath Yatra. The ritual, observed on Trayodashi tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Asadha, signifies the return of the Holy Trinity to the sanctum sanctorum of the Shree Jagannath Temple.

Lord Jagannath, along with Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra, was ceremonially escorted to the Ratna Bedi (bejeweled throne) inside the 12th-century shrine from their respective chariots through the traditional Pahandi procession.

As per ritualistic order, Lord Sudarshan, the divine weapon of Lord Jagannath, was the first to enter the sanctum, followed by Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. Lord Jagannath was the last to ascend the Ratna Bedi.

In accordance with tradition, Lord Jagannath offered rasagola to His consort, Goddess Laxmi, to appease her before entering the temple. As the legend goes, Goddess Laxmi remains upset every year for being left out of the Rath Yatra and this sweet offering symbolises reconciliation.

This year’s Rath Yatra began on June 27. The Bahuda Yatra (return journey) was on July 5. The Niladri Bije concludes the nine-day grand festival that draws millions of devotees from across the globe.