Bhubaneswar (SunstarTV Bureau): Today on the sacred eve of Niladri Bije at Shrimandir, Puri, a divine tale also slated behind this ritual. And we must know the behind scene about the observance of today’s Rasagola Dibasa across nation.
Well before going through the divine tale, we must recognize that how this sweetest day was observed.
On July 30, 2015, a group of people have decided to create a trend on Tweeter to celebration the maiden Rasagola Dibasa on social media and the observance to be made on Niladri Bije of Lord Shree Jagannath. Further, through a series of tweets and blog posts, public support was garnered. Many others on social media shared our views and supported this movement. Rasagola Dibasa was totally an initiative of our enthusiastic Odia group on Twitter.
The trend taken quite long and finally came to fore in September 2015. Then the Odisha Government has decided to set up some expert committees to research and collect evidence upon ancient Rasagola’s presence. Dr. Asit Mohanty submitted a report over hundred pages with supporting documents that Rasagola originated in Odisha on July 16.
The maiden Rasagola Dibasa celebration, true to its intention, sparked nationwide debate and participation. Starting 2015, Rasagola Dibasa is being celebrated every year on the sacred tithi of Niladri Bije in the lunar calendar. The date varies every year as per the lunar calendar. The second Rasagola Dibasa was celebrated on 17th of July 2016, the third was celebrated on July 6th 2017, and the fourth Rasagola Dibasa celebration was on July 25th 2018. Similarly, fifth celebratation of Rasagola Dibasa was on July 15, 2019 and on 4th July, 2020. Today on 23 July, 2021 we are celebrating the Rasagola Dibasa.
Now back to the track of divine tale between Lord Jagannath and his beloved wife Maha Laxmi. Lord Jagannath, Goddess Lakshmi’s husband, once went on a nine-day Rath Yatra without her assent. Upset with her husband and his journey, Lakshmi locked the entrance of the temple to not let her husband from entering it. To please his upset wife, Lord Jagannath offered her rasagola.
The ritual is called Niladri Bije, Lord Jagganath’s return to Shrimandir. It is the last day of Ratha Yathra in Puri.
The return of Lord Jagannath is marked with Rasagola Dibasa, a day celebrated to let people know the history and origin of rasagola.
