Lord
Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra are attired with different costumes and ornaments (Beshas) on different days, times and occasions of the year. Here is a list of
the beshas.
Abakasha Besha:
On each and
every day, the Abakash Besha Of Sri Lord Jagannath is made soon after
completetion of Mangala Arati & Mailam. The schedule time of this Besha is
between 6 AM to 6:30 AM . The morning brushing of teeth and procedure of
bathing of deities is known as Abakash. This Besha also known as Tadapa Uttari
Besha.
Adakiya Besha:
This Besha
is observed on 14th day of Kartika Sukla fortnight in every year. The Deities
are adorned with golden crowns on their heads and different types of bids.
Bada Shrungar Besha:
This besha
is observerd on every day at about 10:30 pm in accordance with record right of
Jagannath Temple. Deities are decorated with flower/ This besha has been
observed in 12 century B.C .
Baman Besha:
Baman is the
fifth incarnation of Lord Bishnu. Bhadrav sukla dwadasi is the birth day of
Charming Baman. Lord Jagannagth is decorated as Baman with all Brahmin shymbols
such as umbrella, Gadu, Kusa etc. Puspalaka attendants have decorated Sri
Jagannath in a style that the Lord seen as a Baman. 21 thype of golden
ornaments are used in this Besha.
On the 12th
bright fortnight of Kartika this besha being adorned. It is said that when
Akrura visit Srikrisna to return back to Gopa, he had the darshn Srikrishna in
this besha and in memory of that this besha is being adorned.
Dalikia Besha:
This besha
is observed on 14th day of Kartika Sukla fortnight in every year. The Deities
are adorned with golden crowns on their heads and different types of bids.
Thiakia Besha:
On Kartik
sukla Ekadasi , the deities are dressed in royal manner as Sri Visnu and
Lakshmi. the other name of this Besha is Laxmi Narayan Besha. Lord Jagannath as
dressed as Visnu with Sankha and Chakra and Lord Balavadra with bow and arrow
and Maa Subhadra appears with hands and legs and sits like a queen.
Dola Purnami Suna Besha:
This Besha
is observed on Dola Purnima in each year also known as Raja Rajeswar Besha.
This besha is as like as Suna vesha on the Chariot in front of Lions gate of
Sri Mandir. This bhesha is mostly liked by the local kings of Orissa and they
used to donate different golden ornaments bejwelled with valuable stones. The
deities are decorated with 23rd type of golden ornaments.
Radha Damodar Besha:
On each year
from Aswina Ekadasi to Kartik Dasami for one month, this Besha is observed on
each day. On mythological belief reveals that while Akrura the emissary of
Kansa taking Krushna and Balaram to Mathura took a bath in River Jamuna. Akrura
saw this besha crossed dress materials at the time of under water. In this
besha the deities wearing tri crossed dress materials at the time of besha.
They adorned with Golden hands, Crowns made of bamboo plates and velvet
clothing.
Chandana Laggi Besha:
Krishna Balaram Besha:
This Besha
is celebrated on the 13th day of the month of Vadraba. This is a very
attractive Besha in which Balavadra represents younger brother to Krishna and
Subhadra as sister. The deities are offered evening alati on this Besha.
Chacheri Besha:
On each year
from Phalguna Sukla Dashami to Chaturdasi for five days, the deities are
decorated with Chacheri Besha. This besha commences during mid day. Fist the
sandal paste applied on the bodies of deities. Special quality of cloths namely
Bairani & Madhabali etc. are offered to Deities. The deities adorned with
four ear rings locally called it “KUNDAL’ and two Tadagis. After that Goddesses
namely Sridevi and Bhudevi go to south cabin.
Shradha Besha:
This besha
is observed on 14th day of dark fortnight of Margasir Month. In accordance with
Hindu culture, Sri Jagannath himself offers shradha Tarpan to their parents
such as Dasarath, Nanda, Basudev . During Shradha Sri Jagannath is decorated
with this Besha. On this days He offers light (deepa) to King Indradyumna who
built the temple as per legend. On this occasion Sri Jagannath wears 27 feet
long cloth, Balavadra 21 feet long cloth and Subhadra 18 feet long cloth. Their
heads are covered with Sirikapada (a special form of cloth). This Besha is
observed before chandan lagi.
Kaliya Dalana Besha:
Every year
this Besha is observed on the day of Bhadrav Krushna Ekadasi. This Besha is
being celebrated to commemorate how Krushna controlled the proud Kaliya, the
multi hooded snake residing in Kalandi, lake at the bank of river Jamuna and
forced him to quite the lake along with his family . A huge snake is built (30
feet) long for the Besha purpose. The hood of the snake placed at the feet of
Sri Jagannath at the time Besha . This Besha is continued till completion of
Sandhya Dhupa.
Suna Besha:
Suna Besha
Observed five times during a year. Generally the besha happen on Bijaya Dashami
( October ), Kartik Purnima ( November ) Pausa Purnima ( December ) Magha
Purnima ( January ) & Asadha Ekadashi ( July ) . The last Besha is observed
on the chariot in front of Temple, other four Besha are observed in temple on
Ratana Singhasana. The Gods are decorated with various gold ornaments during
Besha. The total weight of the Ornaments are more than 100kgs.
Pralambasura Badha Besha:
This Besha
is celebrated on Bhadrav Krushna Dwadasi in every year. This Besha commence
after completion of noon Bhoga (Madhyan). This besha is a memorial to Killing
of Demon Pralamba by God Balaram during incarnation of Krushna. This Besha is
made on Balavadra only while Jagannath & Subhadra remain in general form.
Nagarjuna Besha:
This besha
is observed during Kartik month occasionally when Panchuka (last five days of
Kartika month) observed as six days instead of five. As per mythological
information , this besha is celebrated in commemoration of killing of
Sahashrarjuna by Parsuram or battle between Aurjua and his son Nagarjuna . The
deities adorned with golden hands, Legs bids and weapons made of Gold.
Gajananna Besha:
On Snana
Purnima tithi, the bathing ceremony of the deities is observed on the
Snanavedi. Thereafter, the deities are dressed like Ganesa who bears the head
of an elephant. Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra appear like Ganesa or black and
white elephants respectively.
Naba Jaubana Besha:
Immediately
after the day of Snana Purnima, the deities remain secluded for 15 days. On the
eve of the Ratha Yatra they are gorgeously dressed and decorated and give
darsan to the visitors. They put on very charming robes and look like persons
at the commencement of their youth.
Banabhoji Besha:
It is done
on Bhadraba Krishna Dasami (the 10th day of the dark fortnight in Bhadraba).
The deities are dressed like cowherd boys, as if they are going to attend a
picnic.
Bankachuda Besha:
This besha
is done on Kartika Sukla Dwadasi tithi (the 12th day of the bright fortnight in
Kartika). This is similar to that of Lakshmi-Narayana besha with addition of
golden headgear.
Ghodalagi Besha:
During the
period from Margasira Sukla Sasthi tithi (the 6th day of the bright fortnight
in Margasira) to Magha Sukla Panchami tithi (the 5th day of the bright
fortnight in Magha i.e. Basanta Panchami), deities wear winter clothes.
Padma means
lotus and the dress materials for this besha are made of lotus flowers, which
are traditionally supplied by the Badachhata Matha. This flower appear on earth
from this month onwards. It is believed that the deities are dressed with this
besha in order to perpetuate the memory of a devotee who had brought the lotus
flowers from a long distance to decorate the deities. Pudding is offered to the
deities when they are in this besha. It is done on any Saturday or Wednesday
between the new moon day of Magha and Basanta Panchami.
Gaja Uddharana Besha:
This besha
is done on Magha Purnami tithi. This besha depicts a story in the Puranas as to
how Bishnu saved a helpless elephant from the clutches of a crocodile. At one
time in the past, a crocodile attacked an elephant. Finding no other way out to
save his life, the helpless creature implored the mercy of Bishnu. His prayer
moved Bishnu to compassion and the latter hurled his chakra to cut the
attacking alligator into pieces. Jagannath who is identified with Bishnu wears
this besha.
Raghunatha Besha:
This Besha
is observed in the month of Chaitra (March-April). In this Besha, Lord Shree
Jagannatha is dressed like Shree Rama and holds a bow and an arrow. Laxman,
Bharat, Satrughan, Hanuman and other figures made out of solapith and wooden
twigs are displayed on the Ratnasinghashan. It is observed in remembrance of
Shree Rama, who is an incarnation of Lord Bishnu. This Besha has been
discontinued since last hundred years.
Tahiyalaggi Besha:
This besha
observed during Rath Yatra Time. Lord Shree Jagannath wears a crown (Called as Tahiya).
Nabank Besha:
At evening
time the deities wear garlands made of Basil leaves. The dresses are long cloth
with red colored border.Similar colored clothes are folded to form a turban
like robe over their heads. This adornment of the Lord Jagannath is supposed to
have been started by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and is taken by the Lord for one
day i.e the previous day of the Makar Sankranti.
Pausa Abhisekh Besha:
