Puri: The spiritual fervor in Puri has reached a crescendo as lakhs of devotees are flocking to the holy city to witness the auspicious Suna Besha ritual of Lord Jagannath and his siblings, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra. This grand “golden attire” ceremony, a highlight of the annual Rath Jatra, sees the deities adorned with magnificent gold ornaments while seated on their chariots in front of the Jagannath Temple’s Singhadwar.
Given the anticipated massive turnout, particularly on a weekend, Puri Police and the state government have implemented stringent security, crowd management, and traffic control measures to ensure a smooth and safe darshan experience. The administration is keenly focused on preventing any repeat of the tragic stampede that occurred near the Shree Gundicha Temple recently.
To manage the vehicular rush and facilitate pilgrim movement, detailed traffic advisories have been issued. The entire Grand Road and several connecting thoroughfares around Shree Jagannath Temple, including from Light House to Digabareni Chhaka and Subhash Bose Chhaka to Hospital Crossing, have been declared vehicle-free zones.
- Buses from Bhubaneswar will be permitted up to Malatipatapur Parking and must return via the same route. Regular buses will be allowed to Talabania Bus Stand.
- Buses from Brahmagiri can go up to Flourish India Parking, and those from Konark to Swami Narayan Temple Parking.
- Four-wheelers (LMVs) from Bhubaneswar will be directed to Talabania-side parking zones via Malatipatapur ROB, Baidas Nagar, and Grid Station, with designated parking spots like OLA Guest House, Helipad, and ITI College Parking. Overflow will be diverted to Sterling-side parking. Similar arrangements are in place for vehicles from Konark and Brahmagiri.
- Two-wheelers from Bhubaneswar and Brahmagiri sides will be allowed to park at Old Jagannath Ballav Parking on a first-come-first-served basis, with overflow to Matitota Helipad Ground and Matitota Playground Parking. From the Konark side, two-wheelers can go up to Blue Flag Beach and Hotel Neelachal Ashok Parking.
- Shuttle services (three-wheelers) will operate from various parking hubs to facilitate last-mile connectivity for devotees.
A staggering 205 police platoons have been deployed across Puri to monitor crowd movement and maintain order, with five platoons specifically assigned to safeguard the deities’ gold ornaments on the chariots. Authorities are utilizing advanced surveillance techniques, including drones and AI-powered cameras, for crowd control and traffic regulation. Additional parking lots have been created around Puri, and a real-time alert system has been established to enable swift traffic diversion when necessary. Devotees are urged to cooperate with security personnel and follow designated pathways and timings for darshan.
Significance of Suna Besha:
The Suna Besha, also known as Rajadhiraja besha, is a profoundly significant ritual where Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra are adorned with a vast collection of intricate gold ornaments. This dazzling display symbolizes their divine majesty, wealth, and supreme power as rulers and protectors. It is believed that witnessing the deities in this golden attire can wash away sins, fulfill wishes, and bring spiritual liberation. The tradition dates back to the reign of King Kapilendradeva in 1460 A.D., who, after a victorious campaign, donated a massive amount of gold to the temple for this very purpose.
Devotees will be able to witness this resplendent spectacle from behind barricades, with the divine darshan in Suna Besha expected to continue until late tonight. The meticulous arrangements underscore the administration’s commitment to ensuring a safe, serene, and spiritually enriching experience for all pilgrims.