PURI: It was a sight to behold as the Deities of Jagannath Temple in Puri on Wednesday appeared on golden avatar (Suna Besha) atop their chariots in front of Singhadwar (Lions Gate).
Lakhs of devotees thronged the Lions’ Gate of Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri to have darshan of sibling deities in Rajrajeswar Besha or “Suna Besha” (gold attire) on Wednesday evening.
As per tradition, the servitors adorned the murtis of Bhagwan Jagannath, Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra sitting in their respective chariots with gold attire. The chariots were parked in front of the Lions’ Gate where those were pulled from Gundicha temple during Bahuda Yatra on Monday evening.
The deities were adorned with gold replicas of Sri Hasta (hand) and Sri Payar (feet) beside ornaments including Sri Mukuta (crown), Sri Mayur Chandrika (peacock feather), Sri Kundal (ear ring), Sri Rahurekha (aura) and Sri Mala (necklace).
It took more than an hour for the sevayats to decorate the Deities with gold ornaments. Earlier they had brought huge quantities of ornaments from a temporary strong room of Shree Mandir premises to the chariots amid tight security for the rituals.
It may be noted that the ornaments stored in the outer chamber of Ratna Bhandar were shifted to a temporary strong room by temple authorities on 14 July to carry out the repair work at the Ratna Bhandar.
Sources said that the sibling deities wear gold jewellery, weighing nearly 208 kg on the occasion which, according to experts, began in the 15th century.
Suna Besha, which is also known as Rajadhiraj Besha, is held a day after the Mahaprabhu’s return to Srimandir from their annual sojourn to Gundicha temple on Bahuda Yatra.
In the festival of Rath Yatra, the most attractive avatar of Lord Jagannath is the Suna Besha, during which the deities are embellished with golden ornaments aboard the gigantic chariots. The devotees can see Bhagwan Jagannath’s incomplete hands and legs with golden arms, palms and feet on the special occasion.
Suna Besha is a core part of the worship of Mahaprabhu Jagannath and is one of the 13 grand festivals celebrated annually at the Srimandir in Puri.
According to the Shree Jagannath culture researcher, Suna Besha of the deities began during the reign of King Kapilendra Deb in 1460.
Temple sources said that the deities adorn such golden jewellery at least five times a year.
While one such ritual is held outside the temple on chariots during the Rath Yatra, it is held inside during the four other times. The four occasions are Dussehra, Kartika Purnima, Pausa Purnima and Dola Purnima.
Meanwhile, the state government and police have made elaborate security arrangements for this occasion. Around 5,700 police personnel have been deployed in the town, officials said.
East Coast Railways has been running 46 special trains for the convenience of the devotees
