Bhubaneswar, 03 January (H.S.): The sacred Pausha Purnima is being observed with traditional religious fervour at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Saturday, marked by the performance of the revered Suna Besha of Lord Jagannath and His divine siblings. The ritual holds special significance in the annual temple calendar and has drawn the attention of devotees across Odisha.

On this auspicious occasion, the Pushyabhisheka ritual of Lord Jagannath is conducted in accordance with established temple traditions. As part of the ceremony, 108 pots containing water mixed with ghee—kept in the Adhibasa Griha since Friday—are sanctified with sandalwood paste. These consecrated pots are then used for the Abhisheka of Lord Jagannath, following prescribed ritual norms. Thereafter, the daily sequence of temple rituals continues under the supervision of the servitors.

Following the receipt of the Agyanmala from Lord Jagannath, Maa Lakshmi proceeds in the Sridevi palanquin to the Jagamohan. Rituals such as Majana and Banaka Lagi are performed, after which Sridevi is adorned in the Suna Besha, forming an integral part of the day’s observances.

Subsequently, Lord Jagannath is adorned in the Suna Besha on the Ratna Singhasan. Notably, Lord Jagannath appears in Suna Besha on five occasions annually—four times on the Ratna Singhasan and once on the chariot during Hari Sayana Ekadashi.

On the Ratna Singhasan, the deity gives darshan in Rajarajeshwara Besha on Pausha Purnima, Phalguna Purnima, Kartika Purnima, and Vijaya Dashami. On Saturday, the Suna Besha is scheduled to be performed after the completion of the Sakala Dhupa rituals.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda