Bhubaneswar: In a significant development for devotees of Lord Jagannath worldwide, Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan announced on Tuesday that the deities in the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, will soon don new ornaments during the upcoming ‘Suna Besha’ ritual.
The state government will facilitate the preparation of a fresh set of ornaments for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, while also encouraging public participation through gold donations.
According to temple servitors, some of the existing ornaments are either damaged, worn out, or reportedly missing. During a recent meeting of the Chhatisa Nijoga, the apex body of temple servitors, the proposal for new ornaments was formally placed in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Minister Harichandan said the proposal would move forward if it aligns with the divine will.
“If Lord Jagannath wishes, the new ornaments will become a reality. The devotees’ desire is clear, and the proposal has been received with devotion. It is now our responsibility to act accordingly,” the Minister said.
Taking a dig at the previous government, Harichandan stated, “They could not even open the Ratna Bhandar, which was in a dilapidated and dangerous condition. Now, they are only criticising. We not only opened the Ratna Bhandar, we have also repaired it. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has begun the process of handing it back to the temple administration.”
Earlier, the Law Minister had emphasized that any such change in tradition would only take place if it reflected the will of the Lord. The upcoming ‘Suna Besha’, during which the deities are adorned in gold ornaments atop their chariots, holds immense religious significance for millions of devotees.
