Who is Gundicha, and why is Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra called the Gundicha Rath Yatra?

 

 

Devi Gundicha was the queen of the King Indradyumna, It is because of the deep devotion of the queen Gundicha, Lord Jagannath prefers to pay a visit to her house for nine days during Ratha Yatra. Another Legend says Gundicha Ghar is the house of Lord Krishna’s adoring aunt Gundicha. It is believed that their aunt gives a welcome to the three siblings with a special delicacy made of rice called 'podopitha'. While Lord Jagannath visits Gundicha temple, His consort Lakshmi is left behind in the main temple of Puri.

The journey of the deities to the world outside, starts with a spectacular royal procession called Pahandi Bije. This Pahandi procession of the deities is in a row and is known as ‘Dhadi Pahandi’ or a group movement. In Dhadi Pahandi procession the deities take rest whenever required during the journey to their respective chariots. All the deities move simultaneously one after the other in close succession. First Lord Sudarshana, then Balabhadra, then Subhadra and lastly Lord Jagannath are taken out from the inner Sanctum. At the seven-stairs northern exit from the dancing hall, the three deities assemble and receive giant floral crowns, called Tahias. Then the deities are literally pulled, pushed and dragged in rhythmic movement with the accompaniment of the beat of cymbals, drums and chanting of their names in chorus by devotees. Lord Sudarshana & Subhadra are carried on the shoulders but Balabhadra & Jagannath are carried all the way with little pauses in forward and backward motions.

KING INDRADYUMNA with DEVI GUNDICHA welcoming Lord Baladev, devi Subhadra, Sudarshan ji and our beloved jagannathji on their arrival to their JANMABEDI ( birthplace ).

While jagannath enjoying his vacation at Gundicha temple with his siblings , Maha Laxmi on the hand missing her better- half so much.

On the Hera Panchami day, an angry Goddess Lakshmi arrives, in the form of Subarna Mahalakshmi, at the Gundicha temple.During this time there is a heavy rush of devotees at the temple for darshan. Lakshmi requests the Lord to return home and the Lord gives His consent by offering Her agyan mala (a garland of consent), which She accepts and leaves for the main temple in the evening. However the servitors of Lord Jagannath close the main door of the Gundicha temple seeing the Goddess furious.Insulted by the development, Mahalaxmi orders one of her attendants to damage a part of the Nandighosa chariot. After some time, she escapes to her home temple in secrecy, blaming the King for this whole act of not taking her along with His husband to Gundicha temple.

BAHUDA YATRA

( The return journey of holy trinity )

Bahuda Yatra is the Return Journey of the holy trinity on their three chariots to Srimandir. After spending a week inside the Gundicha temple, the deities commence their Bahuda Yatra on the 10th day.Idols of deities — Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath and Devi Subhadra — were ceremoniously installed in three majestic chariots parked outside Nakachana dwara ( opposite side gate ) of Mausi Maa temple.

Niladri Bije: Return of Lord Jagannath into the temple

Niladri bije is the ceremony of Lord Jagannath’s return with his siblings from the Raths to the main temple in Goti Pahandi.

This is really interesting as it is all about the continuation of the fight between Lord Jagannath and Goddess Laxmi. Lord Sudarshan, Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra enter the temple after they return from the vacation, but Goddess Lakshmi did not allow Lord Jagannath to enter into the temple. A fight happens between Lord Jagannath and Laxmi in front of the temple. Goddess Laxmi was angry on him; as he did not take her along for the vacation to his aunt’s place. He had also closed the door when the Goddess had come to meet him. The angry Laxmi didn’t want him to enter the Puri temple as he had disrespected her.

Even after a lot of requests, Lord Jagannath was not allowed to enter the Jagannath mandir premises. After he offered saree and Rasgulla to Goddess Laxmi; She calmed down and accepted his apology and allowed him to enter the Puri temple.

This auspicious day, Niladri bije also famous as Rasgulla day in odisha.

💕💙 Jai Shree Lakshmi Narayan 💙💕

💕💙 Jai Jaggannatha Swamy💙💕

💕💙 Jai Mata Lakshmi 💙💕

💕💙 Hare Krishna💙 💕