The revered Suna Besha ritual of Lord Jagannath at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri will be conducted at night today in view of the Ketu-grasta lunar eclipse. Traditionally performed during the daytime, the ceremonial adornment of the deities with gold ornaments has been rescheduled in accordance with religious customs observed during eclipse periods.
Rituals Adjusted Due to Eclipse
According to temple sources, the temple doors were opened at 1:00 am and the scheduled rituals were completed in the early hours. However, Devaniti (daily ritual practices) have remained suspended from 6:08 am onwards, following established traditions that mandate restrictions during an eclipse.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration stated that the timing of Lord Jagannath’s procession to the Dolabedi — whether in the morning or evening — will depend on the smooth and timely completion of rituals throughout the day.
Procession of Chalanti Pratima
As per tradition, after receiving the Agyan Mala of Lord Jagannath, the Chalanti Pratima — Dola Gobinda — along with Bhudevi and Sridevi, will proceed to the Dolabedi in the Mani Bimana. During the ceremony, the deities customarily engage in playing with abir and phagu in the presence of devotees, marking a spiritually vibrant observance.
Jagannath culture expert Surya Narayan Rath Sharma noted that darshan of Dola Gobinda on this occasion is considered highly auspicious. As part of the observance, Dola Gobinda performs Mandira Parikrama seven times and undertakes a total of 35 circumambulations in keeping with ritual prescriptions.
Adherence to Tradition
Temple authorities have assured devotees that all rituals will be conducted strictly in line with age-old customs and scriptural norms, while fully observing eclipse-related restrictions.
The Suna Besha, one of the most visually magnificent rituals of the Jagannath tradition, draws thousands of devotees each year. Despite the rescheduling, the spiritual significance of the ceremony remains intact, with arrangements being made to ensure a smooth and orderly observance.
