Suna Besha on Kartika Purnima: Rajarajeshwara Besha

Among the various festivals celebrated in the Shri Mandir throughout the year, the Suna Besha (Golden Attire) or Rajarajeshwara Besha (Kingly Attire) of Lord Jagannath is extremely beautiful and rare. This is the only besha (attire) in which the opulence of the Mahaprabhu is clearly manifested. The Suna Besha (also known as Raja Besha or Bada Tadhau Besha) is a special adornment of Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, in which the deities are decorated with golden ornaments.

The Suna Besha is held five times every year. These occasions are generally Pausha Purnima (Pushyabhisheka), Phalguna Purnima (Dola Purnima), Harishayana Ekadashi (Bahuda Ekadashi), Kartika Purnima (Rajarajeshwara Besha), and Vijayadashami (Dashahara). Among these, the deities are adorned in the Suna Besha on the Ratnasinghasana (bejeweled throne) inside the Shri Mandir on Kartika Purnima, Pausha Purnima, Dola Purnima, and Dashahara. Only once a year, on Ashadha Shukla Ekadashi, are they decorated in the Suna Besha on their respective chariots placed at the Singhadwara (Lion’s Gate) for all devotees to witness. Among the various attires of Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu, the Suna Besha is one of the most enjoyable and attractive. While all other attires of the Mahaprabhu exhibit sweetness and grace, only the Suna Besha prominently displays his divine wealth and grandeur.

During the five days of Panchuka in the month of Kartika, the Mahaprabhu gives darshan to the devotees in five different special attires in the Shri Mandir. Today, on the holy occasion of Kartika Purnima, the Mahaprabhu is adorned in the Rajarajeshwara or Suna Besha. As per tradition, on the full moon day of the Kartika month, the three deities seated on the Ratnasinghasana in the Shri Mandir are decorated in the Rajarajeshwara Besha. This is similar to the other Suna Beshas.

In the past, many kings, zamindars, and feudal lords of Odisha would come to the Shri Mandir to witness this royal attire of the deities, the wooden embodiments of the absolute, and attain immense satisfaction. They would also donate various precious gems and ornaments to the deities. It is known that the King of Mayurbhanj and the Gajapatis of the Paralakhemundi kingdom used to witness the Rajarajeshwara Besha of the deities on Kartika Purnima and offer a “Sunia Bheti” (a golden tribute) to the Mahaprabhu, organizing a grand festival. For the kings and feudal lords of Utkala, this attire was extremely sacred and a significant sight to behold.

After the ‘Abakasha Niti’ (morning ritual) of the deities is completed, the Pushpalaka sevaks (a category of servitors) adorn the deities in the Raja Besha with various jeweled ornaments and silk garments. After this adornment, rituals such as Gopala Ballabha, Sakala Dhupa (morning offerings), and Bhoga Mandap are completed. Following this, ‘Sahanamela’ (public viewing) is held for the general public. There is a tradition where the Bhitarachha Mahapatra decorates Mahaprabhu Shri Jagannath, the Talichha Mahapatra decorates the elder lord Shri Balabhadra, and the Pushpalaka servitors decorate Goddess Subhadra in the Suna Besha.