5th July 2022
Hera Panchami-one of the famous festivals celebrated during Ratha Yatra of Lord Jagannath. It is celebrated as a special festival not only at Puri but also at places where Ratha Yatra takes place in Odisha. It is part of Ratha Yatra.
On the day of Rath Yatra, Lord Jagannath leaves Srimandira and goes to Gundicha Temple with His siblings. Maa Mahalaxmi gets annoyed with the journey because Lord Jagannath goes with His brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra, but She is left.
Maa Mahalaxmi informs Maa Bimala regarding this and looks for advice. Maa Bimala gives mohanachurna (a powder with hypnotic qualities) to Maa Mahalaxmi for Lord’s early return. Accordingly, on the day of Hera Panchami, which is celebrated on the day of Shukla Panchami of Ashadha Month, Maa leaves Srimandira and goes to Gundicha Temple in a beautifully decorated palanquin in a grand procession. Her palanquin is carried by the servitors to Gundicha Temple.
Lord Jagannath gets information that Mahalaxmi is coming to meet Him with anger and He advises His servitors to lock the door of Gundicha Temple. Maa Mahalaxmi became very angry. Further, Maa Mahalaxmi throws ‘Mohana Churna’ from Her palanquin given by Goddess Bimala for Her husband’s early return to the main temple.
Due to the effect of the ‘Mohana Churna’, the Pati Mahapatra (representative of Lord Jagannath) offers an ‘Agyan Mala’ (a consent garland) on behalf of Lord Jagannath to Goddess Mahalaxmi assuring Lord’s return soon.
Goddess Mahalaxmi feels jealous as Her Husband has gone to Gundicha Temple with His brother and sister. So, out of anger, She asks her servitors to break a part of Nandighosa Rath.
Later she feels guilty and also afraid. To avoid being caught on the route, She avoids the direct route and returns to Srimandir via a lane called the Hera Gohiri Sahi.
