Puri, July 19: Deities returned to Shreemandir after completing their 12-day annual Rath Yatra today.  The joyous return ritual is called Niladri Bije. 

The Niladri Bije ritual started at around 8 pm after Sandhya Dhupa. The deities- Lord Balabhadra, Lord Jagannath, and Devi Subhadra were atop their respective Raths- Taladhawaj, Nandighosh, and Darpadalan- for the last four days since Bahuda Yatra.

The deities returned after a nine-day stay in the Shree Gundicha Temple, their birthplace. 

The attractive Suna Besha was conducted on the Rath on the Ashadha Ekadashi, the day after The Bahuda Yatra. Adhar Pana Niti was conducted yesterday and Niladri Bije was celebrated today. 

After Sandhya Dhupa, Charamal was tied to the Raths. Then Chakraraj Sudarshan, Lord Subhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were to be escorted in Goti Pahandi to the Ratna Simhasan. While Chakraraj Sudarshan and Lord Balabhadra had been escorted to the Sanctum Sanctorum, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath are to be taken.  

An interesting event will happen when Lord Jagannath returns to Ratna Simhasan. Maa Laxmi would close the door and would not allow Him to enter. Maa Laxmi is angry as Lord Jagannath had been on annual sojourn to Janma Bedi without taking Her along. 

There will be exchange of dialogues between Lord Jagannath and Maa Laxmi. Finally, Lord Jagannath will appease Maa Laxmi by offering Rasagola (A special sweet) to Her. 

The Niladri Bije ritual is expected to continue till late in the night.