Puri, July 6: Suna Besha ritual of the Trinity is performed in Puri after the Bahuda Yatra.
The festivity is celebrated on the next day of Bahuda Yatra on the holy chairiots where the deities are adorned with at least 128 antique gems and jewelry so as to make them look regal.
The tradition of Suna Besha which dates back to almost 1400 AD is yet going on with a cultural fervour in Odisha where the deities are adorned with Raja Rajeswar look that is Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are decorated with gold ornaments as if they look kingly royal.
According to Odisha History, Jagannath Temple at Puri was built in 1198 AD. During the reign of Ananga Bhima Deva, the king of Utkal(Ancient Orissa), Lord Jagannath was declared as 'Utkal Samrat' or "Lord of the Nation" in the 13th century.
Since the completion of the Jagannath temple in Puri, Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra, Suna Besha, Chandan Yatra along with some annual festivals were celebrated here by the royal priests.
Suna Besha was introduced during the era of King Kapilendra Deba in 1460 A.D. Legends said, king Kapilendra Deba (1434-1466 AD) returned home triumphant after winning wars over the rulers of the Deccan (Southern India at present) with massive gems and jewels. He fetched a huge bounty including gold, silver, emerald and many more precious metals from the souther kingdom.It was carried in 16 cart-loads pulled by as many as 16 elephants.
Apart from it the trophies which he was offered as tokens of recognitions were donned with bejewelled diamond beads and golden pendants. The day he arrived in Puri at his own land he donated all the booty to the Lord Jagannath, by virtue of whom he fought the great battle with indomitable vigour and clinched a thumping victory.
He instructed the temple priests to get wide range of ornaments crafted out of the gold and diamond he had donated to adorn the deities on the occasion of the Ratha Yatra festival.
Since then the deities, Jagannath, Balabharda and Subhadra are decorated with this jewellery after the Bahuda Yatra. The special occasion related to the Rath Yatra in Puri is known as the Suna Besha.
