Puri, July 25 (UDN): The sacred town of Puri is set to witness one of the most spectacular rituals of the annual Rath Yatra as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra, and Sudarshan will appear in the magnificent Suna Besha (Golden Attire) on Saturday.

The deities, seated on their respective chariots outside the Shree Jagannath Temple following the Bahuda Yatra, will be adorned with an exquisite collection of traditional gold ornaments before they return to the temple sanctum. The ritual is regarded as one of the grandest highlights of the Rath Yatra celebrations and attracts devotees from across India and abroad.

Temple servitors will decorate the deities with intricately crafted golden ornaments, including the Kirita (crown), Kundala (ear ornaments), Chakra, Hala-Mushala, and several varieties of ornamental garlands such as Ghagada Mali, Bahada Mali, Harida Mali, Kadamba Mali, Baghanakhi Mali, and Sebati Mali. The dazzling adornments symbolize the divine royalty and supreme glory of the sibling deities.

According to the temple schedule, the Suna Besha ritual is expected to begin around 5:00 pm and continue until 11:00 pm, after which the ceremonial Mailam ritual will be performed to remove the ornaments. Temple authorities have indicated that devotees may get an earlier glimpse of the Golden Attire if the preceding rituals conclude ahead of schedule.

Lakhs of pilgrims have already gathered in the pilgrim town to witness the rare occasion, making it one of the largest congregations of the Rath Yatra festival. The atmosphere across Puri is charged with devotion as chants of “Jai Jagannath” echo along the Grand Road.

To facilitate smooth darshan and manage the anticipated crowd, the district administration has implemented extensive security and traffic arrangements. Barricades have been erected along Bada Danda, with separate entry and exit routes designated for devotees. Visitors will enter from the left side of the Grand Road, offer prayers before the chariots, and exit through the opposite side under the guidance of security personnel.

Authorities have urged pilgrims to adhere to the prescribed routes and cooperate with officials to ensure a safe, orderly, and spiritually enriching experience during the much-awaited Suna Besha celebrations.