Visakhapatnam, July 15, 2013: ‘Hera Panchami’ – the expression of anger by Devi Laxmi against Lord Jagannath for his failure to return home from Gundicha Ghar was observed traditionally by the Utkal Sanskrutika Samaj.

Devi Laxmi was brought in a palanquin to the Gundicha Ghar and after a halt for sometime she symbolically sent a message without visiting the aunt’s house of Lord Jagannath to return to the main temple.

The popular belief is that she gets annoyed against her husband Lord Jagannath for not returning from Gundicha Ghar – his aunt’s place after a day’s halt.

Lord Jagannath stays at Gundicha Ghar along with his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra and it is believed that He enjoys the company of the devotees so much that He prefers to extend His stay there.

According to Jagannath Temple (Daspalla Hills) Managing Committee member R.K. Mishra, the popular belief is that Devi Laxmi, as a mark of her protest, breaks a piece of the chariot in which Lord Jagannath and his siblings reach the Gundicha Ghar and returns to the main temple. “As per tradition, Devi Laxmi chooses a different route on her return journey,” Mr. Mishra told The Hindu . ‘Hera Panchami’ means ‘to see on fifth day.’ It falls on Ashada Shukla Panchami -- fifth day of Ashada of Odia Calendar.

The ritual is observed on the fifth day of Rath Yatra. According to the legend, Lord Jagannath on hearing about arrival of Laxmi Devi, locks himself inside the Gundicha Ghar.

When he returns to the main abode on ninth day, she also locks herself inside but later shows her virtue of forgiveness and welcomes them a little later with juice and sweets.

On arrival at the chariot, devotees welcomed Devi Laxmi with ‘Hera Panchami’ songs.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 15, 2013.