The most iconic avatar of the Lord of the Universe will be witnessed by the mortal eyes in a lavish ritual called 'Suna Besha' in Puri today. Suna Besha, also called as the Rajadhiraj Besha, is a special niti (ritual) that symbolises the magnificence of the Supreme Lord. All the presiding deities of the Srimandir will emerge before the devotees glittering with loads of gold jewellery atop their three chariots.
Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subharda & Lord Jagannath resplendent in their Suna Besha
Lakhs of devotees throng Puri Bada Danda to witness Holy Trinity in their golden glory during Suna Besha.
Centuries back, the Holy Trinity used to be adorned with more than 130 types designs of gold ornaments during the Suna Besha. But these days, the deities are decorated with 20 to 30 types of embellishments.
Servitors meticulously embellishing Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra with ornaments during Suna Besha.
Suna Besha is observed five times during a year. Generally the attire rituals are conducted on Bijaya Dashami, Kartik Purnima, Pausa Purnima, Magha Purnima & Asadha Ekadashi. While the first four Besha are observed inside the temple on Ratna Singhasana, the last Besha is observed on the chariot in front of Temple during the Rath Yatra.
Goddess Subhadra is also attired with some eye-popping gold ornaments during the Suna Besha ritual like Kiriti, Odiani, Kana, Surya, Chandra, Ghagada mali, Kadamba Mali, Tadagi and Sevati mali.
Mahaprabhu Jagannath basks with Sri Payar (Foot), Sri Bhuja, Kiriti, Odiani, Chandra Surya, Kana, Adakari, Ghagada Mali, Kadamba Mali, Tilak, Chandrika, Alaka, Jhobakanthi, Chandra Surya, Swarna Chakra, Ropya Sankha, Harida, Kadamba Mali and Sevati Mali.
Suna Besha: Lord Balabhadra is adorned with various types of gold ornaments like Sri Payar (Foot), Sri bhuja (Hand) Sri Kirit Odhiyani Kundar (Ear Ring ), Surya, Chandra, Adakani, Khagada, Kadamba, Tilaka chandrika Alaka, Ghoba Kanthi, Hala Musala (Weapons) Bahada Mali.