Puri: The auspicious Vijaya Dashami saw thousands of devotees throng the holy Srimandir on Wednesday to behold Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra in their magnificent ‘Raja Besha’.

Adorned with precious gold ornaments, colourful silk garments and traditional divine weapons, the holy Trinity appeared in a majestic royal avatar, turning Srikshetra into a vibrant centre of devotion and spiritual fervour.

Devotees from across Odisha and neighbouring states arrived in Puri to seek the blessings of the deities and witness their resplendent appearance on the auspicious occasion. The special darshan offered a deeply spiritual experience, with the grandeur of the traditional adornment reflecting the rich religious heritage of Jagannath culture.

As per the age-old traditions of the Shree Jagannath Temple, preparations for the ‘SunaBesha’ began after the completion of the morning ‘Abakasha’ rituals. The ‘BhandarMekap’ servitors brought out the sacred sandalwood paste preserved in three silver vessels, along with the temple’s precious ornaments, to adorn the deities.

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The Trinity was dressed in new, colourful silk garments and embellished with 32 varieties of traditional gold ornaments, lending a majestic appearance to the ensemble. Fragrant sandalwood paste and colourful ‘Panchakhanda’ flower garlands further enhanced the splendour of the royal attire.

The traditional divine weapons associated with the deities added to the regal grandeur of the occasion. Lord Balabhadra was adorned with the plough and mace, while the conch and discus, the iconic attributes of Lord Jagannath, formed part of the divine representation. The golden Tadaki ornament was another prominent attraction of the elaborate adornment.

The temple premises resonated with the sounds of bells and ritual instruments as devotees gathered to witness the deities in their royal form as tourists experienced the special darshan on Vijaya Dashami.

For devotees, the occasion was not merely a glimpse of the deities’ royal appearance but also an opportunity to deepen their spiritual connection with MahaprabhuJagannath and experience the timeless traditions of Odisha’s devotional heritage.