SUNA BESHA: GOLDEN AVATARS OF TRINITY
Puri (The Quiver) : Devotees of Lord Jagannath eagerly keep waiting whole year to get a glimpse of the deities -Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra, Golden Avatar. Suna Besha is considered as one of the most spectacular rituals of Rath Yatra as on this auspicious day the Holy Trinity give darshan to millions of devotees being embellished with golden attires.
Suna Besha is observed on the day after the return of the Deities from Gundicha Temple, on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi Tithi. Suna Besha festival is also popularly known as Rajadhiraja besha, Raja Besha and Rajarajeshwara Besha. On this auspicious day, the holy trinity will be decorated with gold ornaments and give darshan to their devotees sitting on the three majestic wooden chariots – Nandighosa, Taladhwaja and Debadalana– placed at Singhdwar of Srimandir.
Lord Jagannath will be adorned with a chakra (disc) made of gold on the right hand while a silver conch would adorn his left hand.Lord Balabhadra will be decorated with a plough made of gold on the left hand and a golden mace on his right hand. Goddess Subhadra’s forehead will be decorated with an emerald (panna).
It is to inform our readers that Suna Besha is observed five times during a year. While one is observed on Bahuda Ekadashi during the Rath Yatra on the chariots placed at the Singhadwara, the other four Suna Beshas are observed inside the temple on the Ratna Singhasana.
WHEN SUNA BESHA STARTED?
Suna Besha ritual is known to have first started during the reign of King Kapilendra Deb in 1460 when he brought gold on 16 elephants to Puri after a winning a battle with another king and donated them to Jagannath Temple.
Today,Dhoopa and Sandhya Alati will be performed before Suna Besha.
Devotees will be allowed to get glimpses of Suna Besha from 5 pm till 11 pm, informed Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).
Government of Odisha and Puri Police are on high alert and special arrangements are done for smooth and comfortable darshan of devotees without any trouble.
