Bhubaneswar: A sea of devotees thronged the Grand Road (Bada Danda) in Puri on Sunday evening as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra were adorned in magnificent gold ornaments during the sacred ‘Suna Besha’ ritual atop their majestic chariots.
The atmosphere brimmed with devotion as the rhythmic beats of drums, cymbals, and flutes echoed through the air, accompanied by chants of ‘Jai Jagannath.’ Pilgrims from across India gathered to witness this once-a-year divine spectacle.
The ‘Suna Besha’ ceremony, held annually on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi Tithi (the 11th day of the waxing moon in the Odia month of Ashadha), marks a significant ritual in the Jagannath Temple calendar.
‘Suna Besha’ involves adorning the deities with intricate gold jewelry and ornaments weighing over 200 kilograms. This takes place after their return from the Gundicha Temple during the Bahuda Yatra. The ritual commenced in the late afternoon as temple sevayats meticulously decorated the idols with golden limbs, crowns, and symbolic weapons.
Also known as Rajarajeswara Besha or Badatadahu Besha, this ceremony is among the 13 major annual rituals observed at the revered temple. The golden attire symbolises the Supreme Divinity and royal stature of the Deities.
As the setting sun cast its golden glow upon the adorned idols, the entire scene was suffused with a surreal, spiritual aura. The divine radiance, coupled with hymns and the rhythmic beating of gongs, left devotees deeply moved.
To ensure the safety and comfort of the large crowd, Odisha Police deployed over 200 platoons, along with drones and AI cameras for surveillance. Medical camps and water stations were also established to assist devotees.
Dating back to the 15th century, the tradition is believed to have been initiated by King Kapilendra Deva. Over the centuries, it has come to symbolise not only grandeur but the divine kingship of Lord Jagannath
With the completion of ‘Suna Besha,’ attention now turns to Niladri Bije, the ceremonial return of the deities to the sanctum sanctorum of the Jagannath Temple, marking the conclusion of the grand Rath Yatra festivities.
