Puri: The sacred Suna Besha (Golden Attire) of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra is being observed today in the holy city of Puri, with the sibling deities adorned in magnificent gold ornaments while seated on their respective chariots before their return to the sanctum sanctorum of the Shree Jagannath Temple.
One of the most significant and visually spectacular rituals of the annual Rath Yatra, Suna Besha attracts lakhs of devotees from across India and abroad, who gather on the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to witness the divine spectacle of the deities in their royal golden attire.
Deities Decorated With Sacred Gold Ornaments
During the ritual, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Sudarshan are adorned with an elaborate collection of traditional gold ornaments, symbolising their divine majesty and royal splendour.
The ornaments include intricately crafted Kirata (golden crown), Kundala (ear ornaments), Ghagada Mali, Bahada Mali, Harida Mali, Kadamba Mali, Baghanakhi Mali, Sebati Mali, Hala Mushala, Chakra, Tilak, along with several other sacred ornaments specially preserved for the occasion.
The dazzling Golden Attire transforms the deities into a magnificent divine spectacle, making Suna Besha one of the most awaited rituals of the Rath Yatra festival.
Ritual Schedule
According to the prescribed temple schedule, the Suna Besha rituals are scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM and continue until 11:00 PM.
Following the completion of the darshan, the sacred ornaments will be ceremonially removed during the Mailam ritual. Temple authorities have indicated that if the preceding rituals conclude ahead of schedule, devotees may get an opportunity to witness the Golden Attire from the afternoon itself.
Elaborate Crowd Management Arrangements
With lakhs of devotees expected to visit Puri, the district administration has implemented extensive security and crowd management measures to ensure smooth and orderly darshan.
Barricades have been installed from Market Chhak along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to regulate the movement of pilgrims. Under the designated traffic plan, devotees will enter through the left side of the Grand Road, offer prayers before the three chariots, and exit through the right side after completing their darshan.
Security personnel have been deployed across key locations to manage the massive gathering and maintain public safety throughout the ritual.
Officials Appeal For Cooperation
Authorities have urged devotees to strictly follow the designated entry and exit routes and cooperate with police and temple officials to ensure a safe, peaceful and hassle-free darshan.
The Suna Besha marks one of the final and most revered ceremonies of the annual Rath Yatra celebrations before Lord Jagannath and His siblings return to the sanctum of the Shree Jagannath Temple, bringing the grand festival closer to its conclusion.
