Puri: On the occasion of Asadha Sukla Ekadashi (the 11th day of the bright fortnight of Hindu lunar month of Asadha) lakhs of devotees irrespective of caste, creed and religion thronged to Puri to have darshan of Suna Besha (golden attire) of Lord Jagannath and His sibling deities Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra atop their respective chariots of Nandighosha, Taladhwaja and Darpadalana.
The ritual is held a day after the Bahuda Yatra-the return of the deities from Shree Gundicha Temple, considered as the birthplace of Lord Jagannath and His siblings.
The divine trinity glittered on their chariots parked at the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the 12th century shrine.
The deities were decorated with ornaments weighing around 208 kg of gold. This Besha is also known as ‘Bada Tadhau Besha’.
The deities were decorated with various types of gold ornaments like gold diadems, Shree Hasta (gold hands), Shree Payara (gold feet), Shree Mukuta (gold crown), Shree Chulapati (headband), etc.
Lord Jagannath holds a gold Chakra (disc) in His right hand and a silver conch in the left hand. Lord Balabhadra wields a golden plough in His left hand, and a gold mace in His right hand.
Devotees can have darshan (glimpse) of the deities in their golden attire till midnight. The golden attire will be removed after midnight as per the direction of the district administration. Earlier, Suna Besha darshan was scheduled up to 10 PM.
While the process of dressing up the deities in their golden attire by the priests concerned began at 5 PM, it took more than an hour to complete.
This Besha is also done on four other occasions Vijaya Dasami (Dasahara), Kartika Purnima, Dola Purnima and Pousa Purnima (Pushyabhiseka). However, on these occasions, it is done inside the sanctum sanctorum (Garbha Gruha) on the Ratna Singhasana (bejewelled throne).
The Palia Puspalak, Bhitarchha Mohapatra, Talichha Mohapatra, Daitapatis, Khuntia and Mekap evaks are involved to decorate the deities in this gorgeous Besha on the chariots.
For smooth darshan of the deities by the devotees and crowd management, barricades have been put up on the Bada Danda (Grand Road) from Market Chhak splitting it into two-the left side for darshan and the right side for exit.
Roads and lanes connecting the Shree Jagannath Temple from all four sides have been sealed by the police for security and crowd management purposes.
