PURI JAGANNATH BAHUDA YATRA AND SUNA BESHA (GOLDEN ATTIRE OF LORD JAGANNATH) Bahuda Yatra is the return journey of the three chariots to Puri Jagannath Temple - 7th July 2014 (Monday). rathyatra.fullodisha/ - Puri Bahuda Yatra 2014 incredibleorissa/en/bahuda-yatra-live/ - Bahuda Yatra live Bahuda Yatra of Sri Jagannath, Sri Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra concluded peacefully at Puri Sri Mandir. On the ninth day of Their sojourn at Their aunts house, Gundicha temple, the Lords returned to the Lions Gate (Singhadwar) of Their Sri Mandir temple in the same manner and style on Monday evening in which They had left the shrine on June 29. Nearly 2.5 million devotees witnessed Suna Vesha ritual ceremony today. (Tuesday, July 8, 2014). Over a million devotees participated in this Bahuda Yatra . The devotees had been waiting for hours since morning at the Saradhabali exit gate of the Gundicha temple, Nakchanadwar, to witness the ceremonial Pahandi of the Holy Triads. As the Deities came out in the Pahandi Procession with musical concert of drums, cymbals and bugles and with dancing Gotipuas, sounds of Jai Jagannath, Haribol and Hulalhuli rent the air. Lord Jagannath came galloping to His Ratha, Nandighosh, with giant tiara swinging in a majestic way. The Pahandi was advanced by about an hour before the scheduled time. Early morning, the Daita servitors had observed the Surya Puja, Mangal Aarati, Mailam and Abakash rituals and the Khichidi Bhog was offered to the Deities before the Pahandi. Since two Tithis were eclipsed as per the temple almanac, the gorgeous Sunavesh ritual has been preponed to Tuesday, the Ekadasi Tithi. So, all concerned with the rituals, including the servitors, were geared up for the occasion to meet the deadline so that the Deities reached the main temple on Monday to facilitate Suna Vesha on Tuesday, July 8, 2014. The Pahandi, which began by 10.30 am, was completed by 1 pm. The Chherapahanra by the Gajapati Dibyasingh Dev was completed by 2.25 pm. The first Ratha, Taladhwaj, of Lord Balabhadra rolled out by 2.57 pm, followed by Darpdalan of Devi Subhadra at 3.25 pm and Lord Jagannath came in His Nandighosh in the end at about 3.38 pm. The devotees pulled the Rathas along the 3-km Badadanda (Grand Boulevard). The Nandighosh reached the main temple at about 7.25 pm. On the way, the Lords tasted Poda Pitha baked by Their Mausimaa (maternal aunt) and then, the Gajapati near his palace conducted the Lakshminarayan Vet before the Rathas were veered to Their final parking lot. As many as 104 platoons of armed police, 1,000 officers of various ranks, two companies of RAF, several troops of IRB besides bomb detection and disposal units were deployed to maintain law and order in the city. The Suna Vesha or Raj Rajeswara Vesha of Sri Jagannath, Sri Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will be held in Their respective chariots on Tuesday, 8th July 2014. Suna Besha or Golden Attire is one of the most awaited ceremony associated with Lord Sri Jagannath Ratha Yatra and takes place after the three chariots carrying the Deities reach Singhadwar or the Lions Gate of Sri Jagannath Temple or Sri Mandir, in the Bahuda Yatra or the return journey of the Chariot Festival. The Deities will be ceremonially adorned with gold ornaments. The Deities will wear gold jewelry weighing three quintals or a ton. The decoration will continue from 5 pm to 12 midnight on Tuesday to enable lakh of devotees to have darshan of Their Lordships. This Suna Besha, also known as Bada Tadhau Besha of Lord Shri Jagannath is one of five Suna Veshas held on different occasions in the Sri Mandir each year but it is only during Ratha Yatra that the Deities appear in Suna Besha outside the temple premises to be viewed by the public. This special darshan you can see only one time during the whole year. This gorgeous and thrilling golden decoration of the Deities on the chariots is believed to have been started in 13th Century by Gajapati Ananga Bhima Dev. He was believed to have donated huge quantity of gold to the temple apart from giving numerous landed properties in the name of Sri Jagannath Mahapravu Bije Puri There are over 367 items made of four quintals of gold and silver ornaments weighing 14 quintals in the lone Ratna Bhandara or temple treasury of Puri Jagannath temple accessed till date. It is believed that the temple have at least seven Ratna Bhandaras that remains un-accessed. ---------------------------------- There, in Their Garden House, adapa mandapa, also known as Their place of birth, the Deities stay for seven days. On the ninth day of the festival, Bahuda Jatra, the grand return journey takes place. On the way back They stop for a short while and partake of poda pitha, a type of cake made of rice, lentils, jaggery and coconut, offered by Their maternal aunt, Mausima. On reaching back the main temple, the Deities, on Their chariots, don the golden attire or the Suna Besha, with hands, arms and crown made of solid gold. They are also offered sweet drinks, adhara pana, on huge cylindrical earthen pots reaching up to Their lips. They are taken down from the chariots in a ritual descent to enter the temple. The temple gate is however shut unto Lord Jagannatha by His celestial consort Laxmi. Her anger, jealousy and frustration is articulated by Her companions, represented by a group of servitors from inside. Another group representing Lord Jagannatha respond with entreaties and endearments. After re-enacting this drama of daily domestic tiffs of mere mortals, the celestial Couple finally make up, and the temple door is opened and the Deities return to Their bejeweled throne, the Ratna Sinhasana. After spending a week inside the Gundicha temple, the Deities commence Their Bahuda Yatra on the 10th day. The return journey follows the same protocol and schedule, as is found during the Ratha Yatra. During the return journey, the three chariots stop for a while at the Mausima Temple. This temple is dedicated to the maternal aunt, Mausima, of Lord Jagannath. Here the meeting of Lakshmi and Narayana takes place. Lakshmis Deity is carried by Brahmin servitors to a pavilion on the eastern side, called the gazing pavilion. From that pavilion She gazes at the chariot of Lord Jagannath. Goddess Lakshmi is then carried from the temple to the palace in a palanquin. After Lakshmis palanquin has left the temple, news is sent to the king who sets out on foot along with the two raja gurus. The king meets the palanquin of Lakshmi between the palace and the temple. He keeps the Goddess on his left and walks towards the chariot of Lord Jagannath. In front of the chariot arrives a small procession. The king lifts the small Deity of Lakshmi above his head and makes Her face the Deity of Jagannath. The circumambulation ends right by the palace gate. Here the king and his entourage faces the crowd so as the people may have a last Darshan of the king. Lakshmi`s Deity is returned to the temple. Jagannath`s chariot is pulled to the main temple. The priests offer dry food items to this Deity. The Deities are then given the golden dress. Golden crowns are placed on Their heads. To view the golden attired Deities is considered very auspicious for the pilgrims. Here three Deities are offered ‘Poda Pitha’, a special sweet made of rice, coconut, lentils and jaggery. After taking Poda Pitha three Deities start Their journey back to the main temple, Sri Mandir. The chariots of Balabhadra and Subhadra move forward and are parked at Lion’s Gate (Singha Dwara) of the temple where as the chariot of Jagannath again halts in front of the King’s palace. In the mean while Goddess Lakshmi steals a glimpse of the safe return of Jagannath’s chariot from the Chaha ni Mandapa. Being pleased Goddess Lakshmi is carried to the chariot of Jagannath while sitting in the Palanquin. She is offered a loving garland which Lord Jagannath uses as loving souvenir from Her partner. After receiving the garland Goddess Lakshmi goes back to the Temple and awaits Her Consort. On the 11th day (Ekadasi), the deities are offered a refreshing drink named as ‘Adhara Pana’. In local Orissa language ‘Adhara’ means ‘Lip’ and ‘Pana’ is a sweet scented drink made of milk, sugar, cheese, banana, camphor, nutmeg, black pepper etc. On the same day, during evening the three Deities are dressed in glittering gold on their respective chariots. This day is also known as ‘Suna Besha’. Devotees witness the Suna Besha from evening 5 pm till 11 pm. On the 12th day, after the evening rituals, the Deities return to the temple with the victory trumpet leading the procession. Balabhadra and Subhadra are taken to the Sanctum Sanctorum (Ratna Singhasana) in Goti Pahandi whereas the entry of Jagannath is met with many a pleasant hurdles. Devadasis at the behest of Lakshmi close the main entrance for a spell and they close the Jaya-Vijaya door and engage themselves in a pleasant repartee with the daitas. This event is just to show Lakshmi’s uneasy concern for Lord’s absence in the Temple. After that, Jagannath is made to sit beside Lakshmi where a ritual of reunion is rehearsed and finally Lord Jagannath ascends the Ratna Singhasana and rejoins His Brother Balabhadra and Sister Subhadra. Deities returning to the sanctum is known as ‘NILADRI VIJAY’ or ‘Niladri Vije’. Before entering the Sri Mandir, three Deities are decorated with beautiful gold ornaments. The ornaments which the lords wear include golden crown, golden peacock feather, golden necklace and silver conch. All the ornaments are made up of solid gold and weigh about a ton. Large number of devotees from around the world are coming to Puri to witness the Suna Besha of Lord Jagannath. The previous two days of Suna Besha, devotees are allowed to climb the chariot to pay homage to the Deities. But on the day of Suna Besha festival, devotees are allowed to view the glorious Deities from below the chariot only. Thereafter the gold ornaments and dresses are removed. Lord Jagannath is brought in the inner sanctum of the temple and placed on the dais. The purificatory rites are carried out. Goddess Lakshmis is placed on the dais to the left of Her Lord.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 10:48:35 +0000
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