OdishaLIVE Bureau
When the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra are adorned with gold jewelry worth millions of rupees to look like human beings, the whole world stands in wonder and the devotees throng Puri to catch a glimpse of the gods. The ceremony is popularly known as Suna Besha or Rajadhiraja Besha. Some devotees say “Lord Jagannath is Manua Thakura ( Does whatever his will). As per myths if a person sees this Sunabesha on chariot, he will never have rebirth.
Suna Bhesha is observed 5 times during a year. It is commonly observed on 1. Magha Purnima (January), 2. Bahuda Ekadashi also known as Asadha Ekadashi (July), 3. Dashahara (Vijyadashami) (October), 4. Karthik Purnima (November), and 5. Pousa Purnima (December). While one such Suna Bhesha event is observed on Bahuda Ekadashi during the Rath Yatra on the chariots. The other four Bheshas’ are observed inside the temple on the Ratna Singhasana.
The name Suna Bhesha is derived from two words, ‘Suna’ meaning “gold” and ‘Bhesha’ meaning “costume”. The deities are adorned with giant feet, hands, huge crown, chest guards, garlands, conch, lotus, besides weapons like Chakra, all made in pure gold, weighing over 200 kg.
The chita or “Sri Chita” decorative ornament, which denotes the third eye of gods, is represented separately for each of the deities; Lord Jagannath’s forehead is affixed with a diamond and Goddess Subhadra’s forehead is decorated with an emerald (panna).
This event is observed on Bahuda Ekadashi during the Rath Yatra on the chariots placed at the Singha Dwar. Suna Bhesha was introduced during the era of King Kapilendradeva in 1460 A.D. When king Kapilendradeva (r.1434-1466 AD) returned home triumphant after winning wars over the rulers of the Deccan (Southern India) he brought a huge bounty which was carried in 16 carts. The trophies which he collected consisted of diamonds and gold.
The day he arrived in Puri he donated all the treasure to Lord Jagannath. He instructed the temple priests to get ornaments crafted out of the gold and diamond he had donated to adorn the deities on the occasion of the Ratha Yatra festival. Since then the deities Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are decorated with this jewelry after the Bahuda Yatra.
Devotees generally witness the Suna Besha from evening till midnight. You can watch the Suna Besha LIVE from Puri on our website www.odishalive.com/live and our YouTube partner channel www.youtube.com/odishalive/live
