Puri Deities Decorated With Gold On The Chariots Today: ‘Suna Besha’

As per the age-old tradition, the three deities of Puri are adorned with gold on ‘Suna Besha’ occasion today on Friday, 15^th July. Yesterday was Bahuda Jatra which was the return journey of Jagannath Rath Yatra from their Mausi Maa Temple [Aunty’s home]. Today ‘Chaturdhamurti’, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath will be on their chariots standing in front of the Puri temple, where the purohits embellish the deities with amazing gold jewellery on 11^th day of Bright Fortnight of Ashadh month.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="502"] Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath adorned with Gold (incredibleorissa.com)[/caption]

Beautification with Gold

The Puri King, Gajapati Maharaja who is the first superior of the deities, adorns the three idols as emblem of wealth. In the same way King Indradyumna believes himself as servitor. Likewise Gajapati Purusottama Deva won many wars, and whatever ornaments he collected, thus offered them to the deities. The founder of Surya Royal Dynasty, Kapilendra Deva, had announced that Lord Jagannath is the Lord of the Nation. The ritual of decorating deities with gold ornaments is known as ‘Suna Besha’.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="325"] Lord Balabhadra, Elder Brother of Lord Jagannath beautified with Gold (shrijagannatha.wordpress.com)[/caption]

It is said that all the three deities are embellished with gold jewellery 5 times in a year, 4 times on Bejeweled Throne [Ratna Sinhasan], and once in a year on the chariots in front of the Puri temple, just after Bahuda Yatra [Rath Yatra festival].

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="326"] Suna besha of Devi Subhadra, Younger Sister of Lord Jagannath (gosai.com)[/caption]

The purohits being the decorative gold materials from temple’s ‘Bhandara’ [store room]. The servitors like ‘Puspalaka’, ‘Palia’, ‘Taluchha’, ‘Bhitarachha’, ‘Khuntia Mekap’ and ‘Badagrahi Daitapati’ engage themselves in the decoration of deities. Even the police officers of Puri monitor the whole process, and control the people who come to see the deities. Other materials of deities like silk and cotton clothes are brought from ‘Changada Ghara’ by Servitors ‘Changada Mekap’.

Ornament Decorations

As per the customs, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath are offered 138 kinds of gold ornaments as they are brilliantly decorated. These ornaments are worn on different parts of the bodies of three deities. The ornaments have acquired informal names such as Sri Bhuja, Sri Payara, Kireeta, Odianee, Chandrasurya, Kundala, Adakani, Mali, Ghagada, Kadambamali, Tilaka, Alaka, Chandrika, Hala and Mushala, Bahadamali, Sebati, Baghanakhimali, Tadagi, Tikhandika, Swarnachakra, Kamarpati, and many more.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="344"] Lord Jagannath decorated with Gold (twitter.com)[/caption]

The Odiya Colors channel telecasts the Suna Besha of Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Lord Jagannath in Puri. They will be on their chariots this evening and night, and tomorrow morning they will be shifted inside the Mandir. Well the gold ornaments are the plentiful sign of cultural tradition and glorified artistic ritual of Odissa. The devotees can have glimpse of the deities on Chariots on this marvelous occasion of ‘Suna Besha’ [adornment with Gold] as they pray wholeheartedly for their Blessings.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="402"] The Three Chariots with Puri Deities at Night (www.nabakalebara.gov.in)[/caption]

Once in a year, the deities of Puri are out on their chariots to give Darshan to their holy devotees as the Rath Yatra festival that started on 6^th July ends on 15^th July.

Jai Jagannath!

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