The holy town of Puri is set to witness one of the most spectacular rituals of the annual Rath Yatra as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will be adorned in the magnificent Suna Besha (Golden Attire) on Saturday. Millions of devotees are expected to gather along the Grand Road (Bada Danda) to witness the deities in their dazzling golden ornaments atop their chariots.

Observed on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi, the Suna Besha is performed while the deities remain seated on their respective chariots near the Singhadwara of the Jagannath Temple after the Bahuda Yatra.

As per temple tradition, the Bhitarchha Mahapatra servitor adorns Lord Jagannath with the golden ornaments, the Talichha Mahapatra decorates Lord Balabhadra, while the Pushpalaka servitor performs the adornment of Devi Subhadra.

According to the special ritual schedule, the Suna Besha will begin at 5:00 PM and continue until 11:00 PM, after which the ornaments will be ceremonially removed. If the temple rituals conclude ahead of schedule, devotees may get an opportunity to witness the divine attire from the afternoon itself.

To ensure smooth crowd management, authorities have made elaborate barricading arrangements along the Bada Danda. Devotees will enter from the left side of the Grand Road, have darshan in front of the three chariots, and exit through the right side.

Golden Ornaments of Lord Jagannath

During Suna Besha, Lord Jagannath is adorned with an array of sacred gold ornaments, including:

• Golden crown (Kirit)
• Golden hands (Sri Bhuj)
• Golden feet (Sri Payar)
• Golden Sudarshan Chakra
• Silver conch (Shankha)
• Odhiani
• Chandra-Surya ornaments
• Adakani
• Ghagara Mali
• Kadamba Mali
• Bahada Mali
• Tabij Mali
• Sebati Mali
• Tilak
• Chandrika
• Alaka
• Jhoba Kanthi
• Trikhandika
• Waist ornament (Kamarpati)

Golden Ornaments of Lord Balabhadra

Lord Balabhadra is decorated with:

• Golden crown (Kirit)
• Golden hands and feet
• Golden plough (Hala)
• Golden mace (Musala)
• Odhiani
• Kundala (ear ornaments)
• Chandra-Surya ornaments
• Adakani
• Ghagara Mali
• Kadamba Mali
• Bahada Mali
• Baghanakha Mali
• Sebati Mali
• Tilak
• Chandrika
• Alaka
• Jhoba Kanthi
• Trikhandika
• Kamarpati

Ornaments of Devi Subhadra

Devi Subhadra is adorned with:

• Golden crown (Kirit)
• Odhiani
• Ear ornaments
• Chandra-Surya ornaments
• Ghagara Mali
• Kadamba Mali
• Sebati Mali
• Tagadi ornament

Suna Besha is considered one of the most revered rituals of the Jagannath cult, symbolising the divine majesty and prosperity of the sibling deities. The grand spectacle attracts lakhs of devotees and visitors from across India and abroad every year.