Bhubaneswar: Also known as Raja Besha or Rajarajeshwara Besha, the Suna Besha of the deities is observed five times a year when the Lord and His siblings adorn with gold and jewellery. But the one observed during Bahuda is called the Bada-Tadau Besha, where Tadau stands for gold. The amount of gold in this is much more than in all Suna Beshas.
The Bada-Tadau Besha is the only Suna Besha done outside the temple in the chariots. The other four Beshas’ are observed inside the temple during Magha Purnima, Dashahara (Vijyadashami), Karthik Purnima and Pousa Purnima when the deities are adorned with the ornaments on the Ratna Singhasana (gem studded altar).
This year, Sunabesha was held on Sunday (July 10) when gold plates, Sri Hasta and Sri Payara, were decorated over the hands and feet of Jagannath and Balabhadra.
Lord Jagannath was also adorned with a disc, Chakra, made of gold on the right hand while a silver conch adorns the left hand.
As per tradition, Lord Balabhadra was decorated with a plough, made of gold on the left hand while a golden mace, adorns his right hand. Devi Subhadra was adorned with her gold and diamond ornaments.
The other ornaments that the deities adorned were Harida Kadamba mali and Baghanakhi mali, only for Lord Jagannath, Kiritta, Ears, Bahada mali, Tabija mali or garlands, Kadamba mali, Sebati mali and Tilaka, Adakani, Chadra-Surya, Allaka, Odiani, Chandrika and Tadaki.
The gold ornaments used during the Suna Besha are known as Sri Hasta (golden hand), Sri Payara (golden feet), Sri Mukuta (golden big crown), Sri Mayur Chandrika (a golden peacock feather used by Lord Jagannath), Sri Chulapati (golden forehead costume which highlights facial beauty), Sri Kundal (golden hanging earrings), Sri Rahurekha (half square shaped decorative for the face), Sri Mala (necklaces with several design made of gold), Sri Chita (third eye of gods), Sri Chakra (golden wheel), Sri Gada (golden bludgeon), Sri Padma (golden lotus), Sri Sank (silver conch).
The various designs of Sri Mala are Padam Mala (Lotus Shaped), Sevati Mala (Small Sun flower shape), Agasti Mala (Moon shape), Kadamba Mala (Kadamba flower design or round ball shape), Kante Mala (Big gold beads design), Mayur Mala (Peacock feather shape) and Champa Mala (Yellow Champa flower shape).
The Sri Chita which denotes the third eye of gods is represented separately for each of the deities. On a Golden plate there are eight precious gems and in the center it is found a pure jewel.
Like every year, this year also a sea of devotees rushed to Puri to catch a glimpse of the grand form of the Lords adorned with jewels. This year was special because during 2020 and 2021, devotees were barred from Rath Yatra owing to COVID restrictions.
