Puri Srimandir celebrates Vijayadashami with Raja Besha rituals

The sacred town of Puri is observing the festival of Vijayadashami with significant ceremonial rituals at the Shree Jagannath Temple. The Holy Trinity—Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra—are set to be adorned in the magnificent Raja Besha, also referred to as Suna Besha (golden attire).

Following the completion of the Abakasa Niti rituals, the deities will be dressed in new garments and adorned with sandalwood paste and 32 varieties of gold ornaments. The ceremony includes the traditional Ayudha Puja, involving the ceremonial bathing and worship of sacred weapons. These weapons, including the Hala and Musala, Subarna Tadaki, and Sankha-Chakra, will be presented by temple servitors.

Additional traditions include the Bira Besha procession, where representative deities proceed to the Mahakhala in warrior attire, and the immersion of Maa Kakudikhai. Thousands of devotees have gathered in Puri to witness these centuries-old rituals and seek blessings on the occasion of Dussehra.