Bhubaneswar: Lord Jagannath and his siblings Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra will be adorned with Suna Besha (Golden Attire) on their respective chariots at the Lions’ Gate of Srimandir at Odisha’s Puri town on July 6 (Sunday).

The sibling deities returned to the Lions’ Gate of the 12th century shrine from Srigundicha temple at the Holy Town by riding their chariots on the Grand Road on the occasion of Bahuda Jatra today.

The sibling deities will be adorned with the Suna Besha after the completion of routine rituals like Madhyanha Dhoop and Mailam in the afternoon.

The servitors of the shrine will decorate the deities with gold ornaments including Sri Hasta (golden hand), Sri Payar (golden feet), Sri Mukuta (golden crown), Sri Mayur Chandrika (golden peacock feather), Sri Kundal (golden earring), Sri Rahurekha (golden aura) and Sri Mala (gold necklace) on their chariots between 5 pm and 6.30 pm.

The devotees can witness the Suna Besha ritual of the deities from 6.30 pm to 11 pm on July 6, said the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) today.

Notably, the Suna Besha ritual of the deities is conducted five times in a year. The deities are adorned with golden attire four times in a year inside the sanctum sanctorum of Srimandir while the ritual is held once on the chariots during the annual Ratha Jatra.

It is believed that Suna Besha ritual of the deities was introduced during the reign of Gajapati King Kapilendra Deb in the 15th century. Kapilendra Deb had donated huge quantities of gold and silver ornaments to Srimandir after conquering several kingdoms during his rule.

Lord Jagannath and his siblings had embarked on their journey to Srigundicha temple for a nine-day sojourn by riding their chariots on the Grand Road on the occasion of Ratha Jatra on June 27.

After making a night halt midway, the deities reached Saradhabali near Srigundicha temple June 28. The deities were escorted to the Adapa Mandap of Srigundicha temple from their chariots on June 29.