Puri: Lakhs of devotees thronged the Lions’ Gate of Jagannath temple in Odisha’s Puri town to have darshan of sibling deities in “Suna Besha” (gold attire) on Thursday evening.
As per tradition, the servitors adorned the idols of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra sitting in their respective chariots with gold attire. The chariots were parked in front of the Lions’ Gate where those were pulled from Gundicha temple during Bahuda Yatra on Wednesday evening.
After the rituals of Madhyahna Dhoopa, Mailam and Sandhya Arati of the deities were performed on the chariots, the servitors brought huge gold ornaments from Ratna Bhandar (temple treasury) of the temple amid tight security. It took the servitors more than an hour to decorate the deities as part of the Suna Besha.
The deities were adorned with gold replica of Sri Hasta (hand) and Sri Payar (feet) besides ornaments including Sri Mukuta (crown), Sri Mayur Chandrika (peacock feather), Sri Kundal (ear ring), Sri Rahurekha (aura) and Sri Mala (necklace).
According to sources, gold jewellery worn by the sibling deities weighed nearly 208 kg (2 quintals 8 kg).
Legend has it that Suna Besha of the deities began during the reign of King Kapilendra Deb in 1460 when the triumphant king brought 16 cartloads of gold to Puri after winning wars over the rulers of the Southern India.
Meanwhile, the darshan time of Suna Besha has been extended by an hour till midnight in view of the gathering of devotees.
