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All festivals and events in Puri are related to Lord Jagannath and so is the Hera Panchami Festival. This Hera Panchami Festival in Puri is attended by a large number of devotees from all across the state and the country. The Hera Panchami Festival in Puri is usually held in the month of July. It is basically held on the fifth day after the Rath Yatra Festival. The day on which this religious festival is observed is known as Shukla Panchami. On this grand festival day, the idol of Goddess Laxmi is taken with a great fanfare and pomp to the Gundicha Temple. A colorful procession accompanies the Goddess to this temple. The procession is attended by a large number of priests and other people. The goddess is taken to the temple accompanied by the sound of drumbeats. The devotees dance and sing religious songs loudly during the ceremonial procession. She is taken on huge chariot to this temple. The chariots are stopped at the Gundicha Temple, but the goddess is not taken inside the temple. She remains in the courtyard only. A major event, held in the courtyard of the temple, is what makes the Hera Panchami Festival in Puri pretty famous. The event is held on the arrival of the chariot of Goddess Laxmi. Once the chariot arrives a little damage is caused to the chariot of Lord Jagannath to signify Goddess Laxmi's anger on the lord for leaving her alone in the temple. This event is watched with great fun and excitement by the devotees. After the event, the Goddess is brought back to her temple via Hera Gouri Sahi. This Hera Panchami Festival in Puri gives one a picture about the religious beliefs and the culture of the people of Orissa. The Hera Panchami Festival in Puri is one of the colorful and lively festivals of Puri and definitely worth attending.
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