Hera Panchami Ritual: When Goddess Lakshmi unleashes her wrath on Lord Jagannath's Chariot

In every household, disagreements between couples are common, and it’s natural for a wife to feel upset when her husband comes home late. This dynamic is beautifully depicted in the mythological relationship between Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Jagannath. When Lord Jagannath delays His return to the sacred Srimandir, Goddess Lakshmi displays Her displeasure, showcasing the loving yet assertive side of their divine relationship.

- 

Hera Panchami is a captivating tradition in which Goddess Lakshmi expresses her anger towards her husband, Lord Jagannath, as he embarks on a nine-day journey to Gundicha temple along with his siblings. Lord Jagannath remains so busy meeting His devotees and spending time with siblings at His aunt's house that He forgets about Goodness and gets late coming back to Srimandir.

The Hera Panchami ritual brings to life the divine drama of celestial deities. Goddess Lakshmi’s wrath is unleashed upon Lord Jagannath as she unleashes her fury, her anger blazing like a thousand suns. Going by the ritual, Lord Jagannath’s divine outing with his siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra, leaves his consort, Goddess Lakshmi, waiting anxiously at the Srimandir. Her patience wears thin as the days pass, and Lord Jagannath fails to return, engrossed in his divine revelry with devotees. The goddess’s longing turns to anger, and she decides to take matters into her own hands.

Goddess Lakshmi sets out in a grand procession to the Gundicha Temple, her palanquin borne by temple servitors, to confront her beloved husband. Upon arrival, she unleashes her wrath upon Lord Jagannath’s chariot, Nandighosha, ordering her servitors to damage a part of it as a symbol of her displeasure. This dramatic display of divine emotions showcases the complex dynamics of their celestial relationship.