Puri, Oct 19: The Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri is set to celebrate Vijaya Dashami, popularly known as Dussehra, on Wednesday with a series of traditional rituals, culminating in the magnificent Rajadhiraja Besha, also known as Suna Besha, of the deities.
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The auspicious occasion holds special religious significance at the 12th-century shrine, where age-old customs associated with Dussehra will be observed with devotion and grandeur. The ceremonial observances are expected to draw devotees eager to witness the sacred rituals and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath and the Holy Trinity.
As part of the celebrations, the deities seated on the Ratna Singhasana will proceed to Mahakhala at Ballav Math. Goddess Durga and Lord Madhab will also be taken on a chariot as part of the temple’s traditional Dussehra rituals.
Following the ceremonies, Lord Madanmohan, Lord Rama and Lord Krishna will be adorned in their distinctive Veerabesha, or warrior attire. They will proceed to Dussehra Pada before returning to the Srimandir, completing another significant sequence of the festival’s observances.
The highlight of the occasion will be the Rajadhiraja Besha, popularly known as Suna Besha, in which the deities are adorned with elaborate golden ornaments. The ceremonial attire symbolises their divine majesty and royal splendour, making it one of the most anticipated features of the festival.
Kartik rituals to begin at Srimandir
Meanwhile, the sacred month of Kartik will commence at the temple on Thursday, October 22, coinciding with the Ekadashi tithi. The deities will be adorned in Radha Damodar Besha, and special Balabhoga will be offered as part of the observances.
Kartik is considered one of the most auspicious months in the Hindu calendar, particularly for worship, fasting and other religious practices. According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Damodara during this period, while devotion to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha assumes special significance.
The traditional Kartik observances at Srimandir attract devotees from Odisha and beyond, who visit Puri to participate in the month-long spiritual practices and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.
With Vijaya Dashami followed by the commencement of Kartik, the coming days will mark an important period of religious observance at the revered Puri shrine, reflecting the temple’s enduring spiritual traditions and cultural heritage.