Toshali Sands

Lakhs of devotees watch Suna Besha
Puri/ Bhubaneswar, July 21: Lakhs of devotees thronged the Pilgrim City to witness the ‘Suna Besha’ of Lord jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra here on Sunday. The deities, still seated atop the three chariots in front of the Singha Dwar of the temple, were decked with the ceremonial gold jewellery. The ritualistic ‘Suna Besha’ was over by 5.30 pm and the three deities were open for public view at 7.30 pm. Temple sevaks (servitors) brought huge quantity of gold ornaments and giant tiaras from the temple treasury and dressed the three deities. Artificial limbs made of gold were also fitted to the deities. The number of devotees was as large as that of Rath Yatra day. The police had a tough time controlling the vehicular traffic. However, no untoward incident was reported. The three chariots which reached the temple on Saturday night after the Bahuda Yatra, would be taken inside the temple after a few more rituals. However, many sevayats expressed displeasure over the arrival of the chariot of Lord Jagannath at the temple at 8.18 pm on Saturday. As per tradition, three should be no pulling of the chariots after sunset.

Although this rule was violated several times, never before had the chariots reached the Singha Dwar of the temple so late in the evening, said a sevayat.