ll The Banabhoji Besha (Forest Picnic Attire) of the Deities ll
Today, on the Dashami Tithi (10th day) of the Krushna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrava, the Banabhoji Besha of the Shrijius (deities) will be conducted in the Shrimandira as per tradition. The two black and white deities (Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra) are adorned in this attire, holding a stick in one hand and a ‘shika’ (a hanging pot sling) with butter in the other. It is believed that this Besha and its special rituals have been prevalent since the time of Gajapati Prataparudra Deva, Raya Ramananda, and Shri Chaitanya.
Today, after the Madhyahna Dhupa (midday offerings), two Agyamalas (garlands of command) are placed on Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath for the Banabhoji Besha preparations. After the Madhyahna Dhupa is completed, these Agyamalas of Lord Balabhadra and Lord Jagannath are taken to the Dakshina Ghara (Southern Chamber). By evening, after this ritual concludes, these two Agyamalas are offered to the representative deities, Rama and Krushna, in the Dakshina Ghara. After receiving the Agyamalas, Rama-Krushna are seated in a palanquin located near the Batadwara. The Bimana Badu servitors carry these deities in the palanquin in a procession with gongs, umbrellas, and trumpets (Ghanta, Chhata, Kahali) to a decorated wooden throne placed in front of the Badachhata Matha, near the Simhadwara (Lion’s Gate) of the Shrimandira. It is here that the ‘Kolibika Niti’ (the ritual of selling berries) of the deities takes place.
After the Kolibika Niti is completed, the Pushpalaka servitors adorn the main deities with the Banabhoji Besha. Various gold ornaments are used for this attire. A ‘Swarna Kia’ (golden ketaki flower) made of sola pith, cane, cloth, and zari is tucked into the ‘Chula’ (top-knot/headpiece) on the divine heads of the deities. During this Besha, two wooden figures of a cow and a calf each are placed standing on the Ratnasimhasana (bejeweled throne). This Besha is performed by servitors such as the Pushpalakas, Bhandara Mekapas, and Khuntias. Lord Balabhadra and Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath hold a four-foot-long ‘shika’ (sling) made of cloth and zari in one of their divine hands. In a silver bowl at the bottom of the shika, there is ‘Sara’ (cream/clotted milk), and in the other hand, they hold a stick. As per tradition, the Mahabhoi (Gauda) servitors of the Shrimandira supply this ‘Sara’. It is a unique tradition of the Shrimandira for the deities to wear garlands made of specially prepared ‘Khuapeda’ (a milk-based sweet) during this Besha. This Khuapeda is supplied from the house of the Pata Joshi Mahapatra.
According to Puranas and tradition, it is popularly believed that this Banabhoji Besha is observed in the Shrimandira based on the event from the ‘Balyalila’ (childhood pastimes) of Shri Krishna and Balarama, where they went for a forest picnic with the cows and calves. This Besha particularly depicts the scene of the deities setting out for a forest picnic. On this day, as part of the Sahi tradition of Puri, the ‘Bakasura’ figure from the Balisahi Jaga Akhada comes out, tours the city, and visits the Shrimandira. Following this, the traditional rituals of ‘Bakasura Badha’ (Slaying of Bakasura) and ‘Arghasura Badha’ (Slaying of Arghasura) also take place today.
The golden ornaments used for the Banabhoji Besha of the deities are:
Swarna Kiriti (Golden Crown) for Subhadra.
4 Swarna Shribhuja (Golden Arms) for Jagannath and Balabhadra.
4 Swarna Shripayara (Golden Feet) for Jagannath and Balabhadra.
2 Swarna Karnakundala (Golden Earrings) for Subhadra.
Swarna Kia (Golden Ketaki flower ornament).
3 Sebati Mali (Chrysanthemum garlands).
Harida Kadamba Mali (Garland of Harida and Kadamba flowers).
3 Kadamba Mali (Kadamba flower garlands).
Baghanakhi Mali (A tiger-claw shaped necklace).
Tabija Mali (Amulet necklace).
4 Shrimukha Padma (Lotus ornaments for the faces).
2 Bahada Mali (Garlands of Bahada).
Alaka – 3 (Forehead ornaments).
Tilaka – 2 (Forehead marks).
Chandrika – 2 (Crescent moon-shaped ornaments).
Odiani – 3 (Waistbands/Girdles).
Ghagada Mali – 3 (Garlands with small bells).
Anta Pati – 3 (Waist belts).
Jhoba (A type of hair/head ornament).
Adakani (A type of ear ornament).
Tadagi (A type of armlet).
Chandra Surya (Sun and Moon ornaments). 🙏❤️
Divine Banabhoji Besha art, a sacred blessing for your home.
Snan Darpan: for Shri Jagannath mahaprabhu's bathing rituals 
