Sunabesa

The Golden Shringara of Lord Jagannathji of Puri.

Sunabesa of Lord Jagannathji was held on the last day of the car festival every year

Legend has it that Suna Besha began during the reign of King Kapilendra Deb in 1460 when he brought gold on 16 elephants to Puri after a winning a battle with another king and donated them to Jagannath Temple.

The sibling deities wear gold jewellery, weighing nearly 208 kg (2 quintal 8 kg). That includes hands and feet made up of gold and 138 varieties of ornaments.

The 138 number has been reduced to only 30 these days. Still the darshan of the Lord in his full regalia on the chariots is a spectacle to see.

Published by Dr. Ramakanta

Pediatrician and occasional blogger

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