Hera Panchami (Lakshmi seeks Jagannath at Gundicha)
Goddess Lakshmi (Mahalakshmi of Puri)
Jagannath / OdiaGet a reminder before the next Hera Panchami (Lakshmi seeks Jagannath at Gundicha)
At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.
Remind meDates shown for India (default). Enable JavaScript to set a reminder for your location.
Hera Panchami — the 5th day after Ratha Yatra. Goddess Mahalakshmi travels from the main temple to the Gundicha Mandir in search of Lord Jagannath, expressing the divine consort's separation lila. A unique Vaishnava-Shakta intersection.
Dates 2026–2027
Mantra
ॐ महालक्ष्म्यै नमः।
Om Mahalakshmyai namah
Salutations to Mahalakshmi who comes in search of Her Lord on Hera Panchami.
How to recite
On the 5th day after Ratha Yatra, Goddess Mahalakshmi — angry that Lord Jagannath left without Her — travels in a golden palanquin (Hera-Panchami Bije) to the Gundicha Mandir to confront Him. A symbolic broken piece of Nandighosha chariot is taken back to the main temple as proof of Her displeasure. Worship Lakshmi at home with kheer and pitha; the lila is enacted publicly at Puri.
Benefits
Hera Panchami honours the spousal lila of Mahalakshmi and Jagannath, teaching that even divine consorts feel separation and the Lord must answer for it. The day is considered especially auspicious for women observing vrats for marital harmony.
✦ Special Note
Verified Aug 2026: 2026 observance at Shree Gundicha (Jul 20) confirmed by Puri/Odisha press coverage; both dates carry Asadha Shukla Saptami at Puri sunrise. Note the temple's day-count vs tithi can diverge — 2027 (Ratha Yatra Jul 5) Jul 10 follows the Saptami tithi; reconfirm against the Puri niti calendar when SJTA publishes it.
Foods Allowed
Foods to Avoid
Meal Idea
Kheer, kakara pitha, manda pitha, banana and chhena — offered to Lakshmi and shared as prasad.
Related vrats
Prioritising the same tradition and category, with related tradition or family entries when fewer than six exist.
- Adhara Pana (sweet drink offering on the chariots) — July 26, 2026Same tradition and category
- Akshaya Tritiya / Chandan Yatra Begins (21-day sandalwood festival) — April 20, 2026Same tradition and category
- Anavasara (15-day seclusion / no public darshan) — June 1, 2026Same tradition and category
- Anla Navami (Amla Navami at the Jagannath temple) — October 19, 2026Same tradition and category
- Bahuda Yatra (return chariot procession) — July 24, 2026Same tradition and category
- Jhulan Yatra (5-day swing festival of Madanmohan) — July 29, 2026Same tradition and category
Get a reminder before the next Hera Panchami (Lakshmi seeks Jagannath at Gundicha)
At 7pm the evening before, each time it comes around. Turn it off anytime.
Remind meDates shown for India (default). Enable JavaScript to set a reminder for your location.
Track this vrat in the app
Personalised timings, reminders, and fasting guides for your tradition.
Open VRAT App →