Archive · 27 Jul 2026
Niladri Bije Marks End of Rath Yatra
Niladri Bije is a special ceremony that happens at the end of the Rath Yatra, a big festival in Puri, Odisha.
During this festival, the gods Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra travel from their main temple to the Gundicha Temple on big chariots.
After nine days, they return to their main temple in a grand procession called Pahandi.
On the last day, which is Niladri Bije, the gods are welcomed back to their sacred home on Nilachala, a holy hill.
This day is very important because it marks the end of the Rath Yatra.
The gods also offer sweet rasgullas to Goddess Lakshmi to make her happy.
This ritual is a big deal for the people of Odisha and is celebrated with lots of joy and devotion.
Niladri Bije marks the end of the Rath Yatra, a nine-day festival in Puri, Odisha.
The ritual involves the return of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra to the Jagannath Temple from the Gundicha Temple.
The deities are ceremonially escorted in a grand procession known as Pahandi.
On Niladri Bije, Lord Jagannath offers rasgullas to Goddess Lakshmi to appease her.
The ritual symbolizes the completion of the Rath Yatra and the restoration of the deities to their eternal abode on Nilachala.
- Who
- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and devotees
- What
- Niladri Bije, the final ritual of Rath Yatra
- When
- Monday, July 27, 2026
- Where
- Puri, Odisha, India
- Why
- To mark the return of the deities to the Jagannath Temple after their nine-day stay at the Gundicha Temple
Traditionalists
Modernists
Ritual Significance
Traditionalists
Emphasize the spiritual and traditional importance of Niladri Bije as a sacred ritual that must be preserved in its original form.
Modernists
Advocate for adapting the ritual to modern times while maintaining its core significance.
- Date
- Monday, July 27, 2026
- Location
- Puri, Odisha, India
- Main Deities
- Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra
- Significant Ritual
- Pahandi
- Symbolic Offering
- Rasagollas to Goddess Lakshmi
- Duration of Rath Yatra
- Nine days
- Return Journey
- Bahuda Yatra
- Sacred Abode
- Nilachala (Blue Hill)
Sources
What Is Rasagola Dibasa? Know About The Festival That Coincides With The End Of Rath Yatra
What Is Niladri Bije? Know The Final Ritual That Marks The End Of Rath Yatra
Odisha Observes Rasagola Dibasa As Lord Jagannath Returns To Puri Temple After Rath Yatra