Puri, Jan 2: On the auspicious occasion of Magha Purnima, the holy trinity of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra adorned in the Gaja Uddharana Besha at the Srimandir in Puri on Sunday. Devotees from across the region have flocked to the temple to witness the deities in this divine form.
After the Madhyanna Dhupa ritual, the holy trinity was adorned in the sacred attire atop the Ratna Singhasan. In this special avatar, Lord Jagannath is seen in the Chaturbhuja Besha, holding a conch (Sankha), a discus (Chakra), a mace (Gada), and a lotus (Padma). Lord Balabhadra, depicted as Basudeva, holds a conch (Sankha), a discus (Chakra), a plough (Hala), and a harrow (Musala). Goddess Subhadra holds a lotus flower and sits in a cross-legged position, resembling Lord Krishna.
Following the Sandhya Dhupa ritual, the deities are offered special prasad, including Khiri and Amalu. The Gaja Uddharana Besha is inspired by a mythological story in which the Elephant King (Gajaraja) sought Lord Jagannath's help after being attacked by a crocodile while bathing in Varun Lake. The Lord, moved by the elephant's prayers, rescued the wounded animal, marking the origin of the Gaja Uddharana Besha.
