Suna Besha, also known as Raja Besha or Rajarajeshwara Besha, is a significant event during the auspicious Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha. During this event, Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra, is adorned with beautifully carved gold jewellery and precious stones, shining from head to toe. This grand ritual is observed on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi Tithi, the 11th bright fortnight in Ashadha, the day after the deities return from Gundicha Temple.
Of the 32 Beshas or forms of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra, Suna Besha is one of the most anticipated by devotees, as it takes place on the great chariots. Also known as Bada Tadhau Besha, the deities adorn golden attire while on their chariots, with gold-made hands, arms, and crowns. Suna Besha is observed five times a year: Bijaya Dashami in October, Kartika Purnima in November, Pausa Purnima in December, Magha Purnima in January, and Asadha Ekadashi in July. The name Suna Besha is derived from ‘Suna’ meaning “gold” and ‘Besha’ meaning “costume.”
The main Suna Besha event during Rath Yatra is observed on Bahuda Ekadashi, with the chariots placed at the Singhadwara (Lion's Gate). The other four Suna Beshas are observed inside the temple on the Ratna Singhasana. Lord Jagannath is adorned with a gold Chakra on his right hand and a silver conch on his left. Lord Balabhadra is decorated with a gold plough in his left hand and a golden mace in his right.
Suna Besha was introduced during the era of King Kapilendradeva in 1460 A.D. When King Kapilendradeva returned triumphant after winning wars over the rulers of the Deccan, he brought back a huge bounty carried in 16 cartloads. The treasures included diamonds and gold, which he donated to Lord Jagannath. He instructed the temple priests to craft ornaments from the gold and diamonds to adorn the deities during Rath Yatra. Since then, Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra have been decorated with these ornaments after the Bahuda Yatra.
The gold ornaments of the Lords are stored in the temple’s treasury, known as Bhitara Bhandara ghara. The Bhandara Nikap priests, guarded by armed policemen and temple officials, bring the required gold from the treasury and hand it over to the Pushpalaka and Daitapati priests on the chariots. The Daitapati priests are responsible for decorating the deities with gold jewellery.
The deities are dressed in glittering gold ornaments on their respective chariots. The following ornaments are used for Suna Besha:
- Suna Hasta – Golden Hand
- Suna Payar – Golden Feet
- Suna Mukuta – Golden Crown
- Suna Mayur Chandrika – Golden Peacock Feather
- Suna Chulapati – Golden Forehead Ornament
- Suna Kundal – Golden Earrings
- Suna Rahurekha – Golden Aura Around the Face
- Suna Mala – Various Gold Necklaces including Padma Mala, Sevati Mala, Agasti Mala, Kadamba Mala, Kante Mala, Mayur Mala, and Champa Mala
- Suna Chakra – Golden Wheel
- Suna Gada – Golden Bludgeon
- Suna Padma – Golden Lotus
- Rupa Sankha – Silver Conch
According to the “Records of Rights,” the treasury holds 150 gold articles, including three necklaces each weighing 120 tola (1.4 kg), and gold hands and feet for Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra weighing 818 tola (9.54 kg) and 710 tola (8.28 kg) respectively. The decorative crowns for Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra weigh 610 tola (7.12 kg), 434 tola (5 kg), and 274 tola (3.2 kg) respectively. Initially, the total weight of the gold ornaments used to adorn the deities was over 208 kg, made in 138 designs.
It is believed that those who see Lord Jagannath in Suna Besha are freed from all their bad karmas. A huge crowd gathers in front of the temple to witness the divine spectacle and feel the Lord’s power on this auspicious day.
