Puri: The Pilgrim City of Puri was filled with deep spiritual fervour as the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple observed Vijayadashami with the majestic Suna Besha, also known as the grand Raja Rajeswar Besha or Rajadhiraja Besha, of Lord Jagannath and His divine siblings.
On this auspicious occasion marking the triumph of truth and righteousness over falsehood, the deities appeared before thousands of throngs on the Ratna Simhasana (bejeweled throne) in their breathtaking royal golden attire.
Introduced originally during the reign of Gajapati Kapilendradeva, the magnificent Raja Rajeswar Besha presents the Supreme Deities as the sovereign rulers of the cosmos. Following the completion of the early morning rituals, including Mangala Alati, Abakasha Niti, the application of sacred sandalwood paste, and the offering of new silken fabrics (Patabastra), the deities were adorned with 32 distinct types of grand gold ornaments and exquisite floral garlands. Among the sacred embellishments featured were traditional gold pieces such as the Siri, Chita, Chandra and Surya (Sun and Moon motifs), Trijuba, and Ghaguda, along with royal crowns, intricate necklaces, ear ornaments, and armlets.
In accordance with Vijayadashami tradition, special Ayudha Puja (worship of divine weapons) was ceremonially conducted inside the Srimandir. After the Sakala Dhupa ritual, the divine weapons underwent a ritualistic bathing (Mahasnana) followed by Varuna Puja. Mekap servitors then carefully placed the sacred weapons onto three silver plates. Accompanied by the Taluchha and Pradhani servitors, they carried out three ceremonial circumambulations around the main temple complex. Following the sacred procession, the Pushpalaka servitors ceremonially adorned the deities with their iconic divine symbols and weapons. Lord Balabhadra was adorned with the Hala and Musala (plough and mace), Devi Subhadra with the golden Subarna Tadaki and Padma, and Lord Jagannatha with the sacred Sankha and Chakra (conch and discus).
Adding further splendour to the celebrations, the traditional procession of the representative deities — Madanmohan, Ramakrishna, Durga, and Madhab — was carried out. Dressed in warrior attire known as Bira Besha, the representative deities traversed the inner precincts of the shrine before proceeding to the Mahakhala (also called Dussehra Pada) near the Shree Jagannath Ballav Math.
The day’s religious observances will also feature the immersion ritual of Maa Kakudikhai, the representative deity of Maa Bimala. The grand immersion ceremony for the other prominent Gosani idols of Puri is scheduled to take place following the traditional Devi Sabha in front of the Shree Jagannath Temple.
