World Famous And Unique PostRathyatra Rituals of ShreeJagannath

Rituals of Mahaprabhu Jagannath : Suna Besha, Adhar Pana and Niladri Bije 

Suna Besha 

It is the Bada Ekadashi ( Asadha Shukla Paksha Ekadashi), the most sought after day of Suna Besha( Golden Attire ) of our three sibling Gods( Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra). Millions of enthusiasts come to Puri to witness the ‘Suna Besha’ custom with incredible dedication.

‘Suna’ signifies ‘Gold’ and ‘Besha’ signifies ‘Clothing’ or ‘ Attire’.  Suna Besha custom is seen on the day after the arrival of the Deities from Gundicha Temple, the eleventh day of the bright fortnight in Asadha. On this day, during night the sibling deities are embellished with gold adornments on their particular chariots. The gold is put away at the temple’s bhandara ghar (depository). The bhandara mekap priests (store in-control), protected by armed police officers and temple authorities, bring the requisite gold ornaments from the bhandara ghar before one hour and give them over to the Pushpalak and Daitapati clerics on the chariots. The Daitapati priests are mindful to embellish the Deities body with gold adornments.

List Lord Jagannath’s Golden Ornaments:

Adaw Kaani – Hairclip

Chandra Surya – Crescent and Dot

Ketakey – Keura petal

Kiritaw – Hairband

Nakaw Guna – Nose ring

Makaraw: Crocodile earings

Chandrika – Gold Scarf

Chita – Tika/Tilak mark

Kanaw- Ear

Chakra – Sudarshan Disc 

Sri Hasta – Holy Hands

Sri Payara – Holy Feet

Taabiz Mali – Talisman garland

Odiani – Belt

Harida Mali- Haritaki/Harad garland

Kadamba mali- kadam flower graland

Sankhaw- Conch 

Baghaw Nakha – Tiger nails

Malli Kadhee- Jasmine buds

Sebati mali- chrysanthemum garland

I.S: Shri Hari Das

 Here are some views of that stellar event for all those who couldn’t remain there on the said occasion. 

Sri Payar, Sri Hasta etc.

Mahaprabhu Jagannath 

Prabhu Balabhadra 

Devi Subhadra 

Golden ornaments are being shifted to chariots

Adhar Pana

The ancient tradition of ADHAR PANA( offering a kind of sweet drink to God) is performed after the SUNA BESHA on the chariots. It is believed that several divinities, side deities of the Rathas ( Parswadebatas) and spirits etc travel along with the Rathas and remain a part and parcel of this sacred journey of Mahaprabhu Jagannath from the day one( Gundicha)  till the end( Niladri Bije) of these thirteen day long show.The basic objective behind this particular ritual is to satisfy these spirits and divinities as well.  This pana is made by mixing two parts of water, one part of milk with cheddar, Sara (the cream which gets settled on the top layer of milk after boiling and subsequent cooling), ripe bananas, nutmegs etc. and afterwards camphor and black pepper powder lastly.The ‘Raghav Das mutt‘ and the ‘Bada Odia mutt ‘ provide all the ingredients of ‘Adhar Pana’ and ‘Maha Suara'( servitors) prepare it. The ‘Adhar Pana’ so prepared, are   placed in large high rising clay pots ( photo attached) and offered to the holy trinities on their respective chariots . Three small pots are filled with this sacred ‘Adhar Pana’ and offered to Jagannath’s moving idols Madan Mohan and Ramakrishna Bhagwan.

The above-mentioned temple services are performed by different servitors of Jagannath Mahaprabhu like Bhitrachcha Mohapatra, Talichha Mohapatra, Palia Maha Suar, Pushpalak etc. Finally these clay pots containing ‘Adhar Pana’ are crushed in front the Sibling Deities to quench the thirst of all abiding spirits around the three Rathas.

Lip height clay pots containing Adhar Pana in front of Mahaprabhu Jagannath 

Prabhu Balabhadra 

Devi Subhadra

Clay pots containing Pana being crushed 

Clay pots being shifted to chariots

Pana is being prepared

ADHAR PANA ritual  is done after the mid-day incense offerings are finished in the afternoon / evening . Drinking ADHAR PANA  is believed to cure all ailments and all sins.It is really so fascinating to think and watch all these human pastimes of our Mahaprabhu Jagannath. 

Niladri Bije 

The last event of the thirteen day long chariot ride or Rath Yatra is Niladri Bije. The festival is held on the thirteenth day of Asadha Shukla paksha. It is that auspicious day of return of the Mahaprabhu Jagannath and siblings to their pedestal Ratna Singhasan( gemstone throne inside the Sanctum Sanctorum) . Niladri Bije is the ritual of Mahaprabhu Jagannath’s return with his kin from the chariots to the Srimandir in ‘Goti Pahandi’. It is the parade of the heavenly divinities from the chariots to Ratna Singhasana. From the beginning of the pahandi, the tahiya of the holy Trinity is tied on the Charmal . This tahiya  is made in the form of peepal leaves.It is offered to all the three Sibling Deities by the Raghav Das Math, Puri.

See the huge TAHIYA tied on the head of Mahaprabhu Jagannath

It is widely and affectionately trusted that Devi Lakshmi, spouse of Mahaprabhu Jagannath, lashes out as she was left in the Srimandir alone and was not a part of the Rath Yatra to the Gundicha temple. She just permits God Balabhadra, Goddess Subhadra, and  Sudarshana into the temple and shuts the temple entryway for Mahaprabhu Jagannath.Hence, to persuade Devi Lakshmi, Jagannath offers rasagola (a sweet dish made of curd cheese) at the Jay Bijay dwar ( eastern entryway) and solicitations her to pardon Him. It is only on this Asadha Shukla Trayodashi ( one day in the whole year) , Rasagola is offered to Sibling Deities. 

Here I am giving a link for having a glimpse of Niladri Bije.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/197278959038296/permalink/360295359403321/

Here I am submitting few drawings  in this regard.

Following this, Mahaprabhu Jagannath is made to sit close to Devi Lakshmi where a custom of gathering is practiced before Mahaprabhu Jagannath climbs the Ratna Singhasana.These are nothing but the human pastimes of our loving Mahaprabhu Jagannath.

Dr. Manoj Mishra

lunarsecstasy@gmail.com