Puri observes Sunia festival; Gajapati Maharaj enters 69th ‘Anka’, 1433 ‘sal’ begins

The sacred Sunia festival, marking the traditional New Year for the Puri royal family, is being observed with great devotion and grandeur today across Puri. The day holds deep religious, cultural, and historical importance, especially for the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri. This year, Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb entered his 69th Anka (regnal year), ushering in the 1433 Sal.

As part of the rituals, a special Abhisheka ceremony was performed at the Gajapati King’s palace in the evening, followed by Gadi Puja at various mutts across Puri. The festival, considered highly auspicious, also serves as an occasion for devotees to begin new ventures and seek divine blessings.

Adding to the sanctity of the day, Bamana Janma Niti rituals are being performed at Srimandir, commemorating the birth of Lord Vamana, the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. These rituals, coinciding with the Bhadraba Shukla Dwadasi Tithi, are of immense significance for the Holy Trinity—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra.

According to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), public darshan at the temple has been suspended from 5 pm to 8 pm after the Madhyahna Dhupa to allow servitors to conduct the rituals peacefully.

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Meanwhile, the Parswa Paribartana rituals of Garuda are also being performed, adding to the spiritual atmosphere. With both Sunia and Bamana Janma Niti falling on the same day, Puri has turned into a vibrant hub of devotion, echoing centuries-old traditions.