Puri, Odisha witnessed an overwhelming spiritual fervor on Sunday as lakhs of devotees gathered to witness the majestic Suna Besha of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra. The sacred ritual, part of the annual Rath Yatra festival, saw the deities decorated with exquisite gold ornaments weighing an astonishing 208 kilograms, dazzling devotees with their divine splendor.

A massive crowd flooded the Grand Road (Bada Danda) as the divine siblings were adorned in golden attire atop their majestic chariots – Nandighosa, Taladhwaja, and Darpadalana – parked outside the 12th-century Shree Jagannath Temple. The Suna Besha (literally meaning "Golden Attire") began in the evening and continued until 11 PM, according to the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA).

The spectacular ritual attracted devotees from across India and abroad, all seeking a glimpse of the deities radiating brilliance in their golden finery. Pilgrims braved the massive crowd and moved patiently to have darshan of Lord Jagannath and his siblings. The divine trio was adorned with a range of intricate gold ornaments including golden crowns (mukuts), hands and feet coverings, garlands made of gold beads, a golden chakra (discus), a silver conch, gold ploughshare, pestle, and other traditional embellishments that highlighted Odisha’s unmatched craftsmanship and centuries-old traditions.

The Suna Besha, also known as the ‘Bada Tadhau Besha’, is observed on the day after Bahuda Yatra when the deities return to the Srimandir after their nine-day sojourn to Gundicha Temple. It is one of the rarest and most sacred rituals in the Jagannath tradition and draws lakhs of devotees every year who believe that a glimpse of the deities in their golden attire brings immense spiritual merit and blessings.

This year’s Suna Besha stands out for the sheer scale of arrangements and the massive gathering of devotees who turned Puri into a spiritual ocean of faith and devotion. With the golden glow of the deities lighting up the Grand Road, the sacred town resonated with chants of “Jai Jagannath” as devotees cherished the divine moment. The ritual not only underscores Odisha’s rich cultural heritage but also reinforces Puri’s position as one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations, drawing devotees and tourists alike to experience its timeless traditions.