Bhubaneswar: A wave of divine fervor swept through the holy town of Puri on the evening of July 6 as lakhs of devotees gathered near the Singhadwar (Lions’ Gate) of the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple to witness the celestial spectacle of Suna Besha — the golden attire ceremony of Bhagwan Jagannath, Bhagwan Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra.
This ritual, also known as Rajarajeswara Besha, is one of the most visually stunning and spiritually significant events of the annual Rath Yatra festival. It takes place on the Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi Tithi, when the deities appear before the devotees adorned in dazzling gold ornaments atop their chariots stationed in front of the Singhadwar, following their return from the Gundicha Temple during the Bahuda Yatra.
Amid thunderous chants of “Jai Jagannath” and the rhythmic symphony of traditional drums, conches, flutes, and cymbals, the deities were adorned with elaborate gold decorations. The majestic adornments included golden replicas of Sri Hasta (hands) and Sri Payar (feet), as well as Sri Mukuta (crowns), Sri Mayur Chandrika (peacock-feather ornaments), Sri Kundal (earrings), Sri Rahurekha (aura), and Sri Mala (necklaces).
According to temple authorities, it took over an hour for the sevayats to complete the decoration of the deities. The golden ornaments, securely stored in a temporary strongroom on the Srimandir premises, were transported to the chariots under heavy security earlier in the day.
ଶ୍ରୀଜୀଉଙ୍କ ସୁନାବେଶ ଦର୍ଶନ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ଭକ୍ତମୟ ଶ୍ରୀକ୍ଷେତ୍ର। pic.twitter.com/ir2M3A3EOI
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 6, 2025
This visually resplendent ritual is not merely an aesthetic display but is deeply symbolic. The golden attire emphasizes the divine royalty and supreme status of Bhagwan Jagannath, Bhagwan Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. During Suna Besha, devotees have a rare opportunity to view the deities’ incomplete arms and legs, now gleaming with golden embellishments—an awe-inspiring vision for the faithful.
The tradition of Suna Besha dates back to 1460 AD, during the reign of Gajapati King Kapilendra Deb, who donated vast amounts of gold and silver ornaments to the Jagannath Temple after his victorious conquests. Since then, the ritual has become one of the 13 major annual nitis (rituals) observed in the temple calendar.
ବଡ଼ ତଢ଼ାଉ ବା ସୁନାବେଶରେ ଦର୍ଶନ ଦେଉଛନ୍ତି ମହାପ୍ରଭୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ।
Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannatha, in his rare and divine golden attire, bestows darshan upon the devotees.#RathaJatra2025 #RathaYatra2025 #ShreeJagannathaDhaam #Sunabesha2025 pic.twitter.com/bS5bUcICcj
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 6, 2025
While Suna Besha occurs five times a year, it is only during the Rath Yatra that the ritual takes place outside the sanctum sanctorum, allowing lakhs of pilgrims and tourists to witness the spectacle up close. The other four occasions when the deities are adorned with golden attire are Dussehra, Kartik Purnima, Pausa Purnima, and Dola Purnima, all conducted inside the inner sanctum of the Srimandir.
This year, the Puri district administration diligently worked to create a smooth and secure environment for the thousands of devotees who gathered to witness the event. Approximately 200 police platoons were deployed along the Grand Road and surrounding areas to manage crowd control, maintain law and order, and ensure a hassle-free darshan for the public. Traffic diversions and other precautionary measures were implemented to regulate the flow of vehicles and pilgrims during the rituals.
The golden attire event took place shortly after the deities began their Rath Yatra journey from Srimandir to the Gundicha Temple on June 27. After an overnight stay, they arrived at Saradhabali, near the Gundicha Temple, on June 28 and were escorted to the Adapa Mandap on June 29.
— Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri (@JagannathaDhaam) July 6, 2025
Following Suna Besha, the deities will be offered the traditional Adhara Pana drink on July 7 while seated on their respective chariots. The grand procession of Niladri Bije, which marks the return of the divine siblings to the sanctum sanctorum of Srimandir, is scheduled for July 8.
For countless devotees and enthusiasts of Jagannath culture, Suna Besha is the most enchanting and spiritually uplifting event of the Rath Yatra. With their golden radiance shining under the twilight sky, Bhagwan Jagannath and his siblings remind the faithful of the timeless glory, opulence, and divine compassion embodied in the Jagannath tradition.
If Bhagwan Jagannath wishes, new ornaments will adorn Him: Odisha Minister
Amid growing enthusiasm among devotees for new ornaments for Bhagwan Jagannath and His divine siblings—Bhagwan Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra—Odisha’s Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan emphasized on Sunday that such an initiative can only come to fruition with the Bhagwan ‘s divine will.
“Everyone wishes to see the deities adorned with new ornaments, but this can only happen if Bhagwan Jagannath Himself wills it,” the Minister stated, highlighting the deep spiritual sentiment connected to any changes in the traditional rituals or adornments of the deities.
He also noted that while the desire for new embellishments is shared by both devotees and servitors, it ultimately depends on divine grace and the traditional customs upheld at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.
