Puri: After a hassle-free Ratha Jatra, both Srigundicha and Bahuda festival, the divine trinity of Puri Srimandir-Lord Jagannath and his siblings Devi Subhadra and elder brother Lord Balabhadra are all set to give darshan to the devotees in Rajarajeswar Besha popularly known as Suna Besha today.
The significant characteristic of the ritual is that the three deities will adorn with heavy gold ornaments aboard the chariots in front of the Singha Dwara of the 12th century shrine. Around 200 kg of gold ornaments are usually used in the golden attire ritual of the deities.
In four other occasions, the deities also appear in the golden attire in Dusssehra, Karttika Purnima, Pausa Purnima and Dolapurnima. On these occasions, the ritual is conducted inside the temple while during Ratha Jatra, the Suna Besha is celebrated atop chariots.
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As per legends, King Kapilendra Deb had brought huge amount of gold jewellery by conquering a neighbouring kingdom. He donated all the valuable metals to the temple in 1460. Since then, the Suna Besha has been a major ritual of the deities.
The devotees will give a miss to the rare festival this year like last event as the ritual will be conducted amid strict restrictions due to corona virus.
The curfew imposed by the district administration under section 144 of CrPC is still in force at some places in the pilgrim town. The prohibitory orders have been clamped today at Market square, Kakudi Khai chhak and all roads leading to Bada Danda. The restriction will remain in force till 6 am on July 24.
After the Suna Besha, Adharapana and Niladri Bije rituals will be observed amid similar restrictions. The district administration and police have made elaborate arrangements for the final phase rituals of the Ratha Jatra.