Baripada: Baripada’s Rath Yatra, known as Odisha’s second Srikshetra, boasts distinct traditions that attract large crowds. One of the most notable events is Suna Besha, which is a highlight of the festival. Similar to the Puri Rath Yatra, Baripada’s Rath Yatra also features Suna Besha annually. However, unlike Puri, where Suna Besha occurs after the Bahuda Yatra of the Chaturdha Murty, Baripada’s Suna Besha takes place just before the Bahuda Yatra.
In short, we can say that Dwarika Besha is unique to Rath Yatra celebrations here as the deities adorn golden ornaments before they return to the main temple in Bahuda Yatra unlike in Puri where Suna Besha is observed after the Trinity return to the main temple from their nine-day sojourn.
Devotees in large numbers thronged the Mausima temple in Baripada to witness the Suna Besha or Dwarika Besha of Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra on Monday.
Thousands of devotees made a beeline in front of the temple as the sibling deities dazzled in gold ornaments on the last day of their annual sojourn. The ornaments were brought from the district treasury amid tight security for the Suna Besha.
Unlike Puri where the deities are adorned with gold on the chariots after reaching the Jagannath Temple, the pahandi and pulling of chariots here begin after ‘Suna Besha’, according to the endowment department.
After a set of rituals like mangala alati, maha snana and abakash, the servitors began adorning the deities in gold ornaments and devotees were allowed to get ‘darshan’ of the Trinity in Suna Besha from 9 am to 1 pm. Later, ‘khechudi’ bhog was offered to the deities and preparations of Bahuda Yatra began at around 2 pm. Later the sibling deities were taken to their respective chariots in goti pahandi by 7.30 pm.
On Tuesday, chariot pulling will begin at around 2.30 pm. Lord Jagannath’s chariot will be pulled before the chariots of his sibling deities will be taken out in a procession.
As has been the tradition of Bahuda Yatra, Lord Jagannath’s chariot will be pulled first, followed by Subhadra’s chariot, which will be taken to the Town Police Station Square. On the final day, Wednesday, Subhadra’s chariot, along with Balabhadra’s chariot, will be pulled and reach the Srimandir.
It is pertinent to mention that Goddess Subhadra’s chariot here is pulled by women devotees only. Since 1975, pulling the chariot of Devi Subhadra has been the exclusive domain of women. Women devotees from corners of the state and outside throng the town to participate in the pulling of the chariot, which is believed to wash off all the sins.
