Though the three chariots reached Jagannath Temple amid downpour by evening, the Deities were taken inside the sanctum sanctorum on the occasion of Niladri Bije, on July 23.

Unlike previous years, when a sea of humanity used to turn up to bid tearful adieu to the Deities on the return car festival, their chariots rolled towards Jagannath Temple amid quietness on Tuesday. Like Rath Yatra on July 12, the state government imposed curfew in Puri to prevent the congregation of devotees on Bahuda Yatra, complying with Covid safety protocols.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik praised the Puri district administration, police, Shree Jagannath Temple administration and servitors of the shrine for successful conduct of Bahuda and the nine-day Rath Yatra festival.

"Cooperation of everyone amid compliance of the Covid-19 restrictions resulted in the smooth end of the nine-day festival. Residents of Puri once again showed self-restraint and discipline during the Covid crisis. The information and public relations department nicely arranged live telecast of Rath Yatra and Bahuda to ensure that the devotees watch the festival on the TV screens," Naveen's message from his office said.

The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) appreciated the servitors for timely conduct of the rituals. "All sevaks (servitors) showed commitment and completed the rituals two or three hours before the schedule. All the participants (servitors, temple staff and district officials) had tested negative for Covid-19," SJTA's chief administrator Krishan Kumar said.

Puri police denied reports of any untoward incident. "We got full cooperation from the residents of Puri. They complied with the curfew and Covid safety rules and stayed in their homes," Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh said. The police installed barricades around the chariots to keep devotees at bay. The Deities would don gold ornaments on their chariots on the occasion of Suna Besha on Wednesday.

Jagannath Temple Deities Sparkle In Suna Besha

As per tradition, the sibling Deities donned huge quantities of gold ornaments atop their chariots upon their return from Gundicha temple on Bahuda Yatra.

Suna Besha is said to have been introduced during the reign of King Kapilendra Deb in 1460. Sources said he had conquered another King and brought huge quantities of gold on 16 elephants to Puri. He donated all the gold to the Jagannath Temple.

The annual spectacle has since not lost its glitter and grandeur for the last 561 years, as the Deities shined with loads of gold ornaments atop their chariots on Wednesday.

Suna Besha was observed on Asadha Sukla Ekadasi Tithi (the 11th day of the bright fortnight in Asadha). Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and goddess Subhadra donned giant ornaments like diadems, hands and feet made of gold. Lord Jagannath held a gold Chakra in His right hand and a silver conch in the left hand. Lord Balabhadra wielded a golden plough in His left hand, a gold mace in His right hand.

Different sections of servitors, involving Palia Puspalak, Bhitarchha Mohapatra, Taluchha Mohapatra, Daitapatis, Khuntia and Mekap Sevaks were engaged to decorate this gorgeous Suna Besha on the chariots.

"Suna Besha was smooth and well-coordinated. Devotees cooperated with the administration and watched the live telecast of the festival on TV in their homes. Servitors completed all rituals on the chariots in time and bedecked the Deities with gold. Only those servitors, who tested negative for Covid-19 virus, were allowed to perform the rituals and decorated the Deities with gold," Krishan Kumar, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, said.

Around 50 platoons of police force were deployed in Puri to prevent congregation of devotees. One platoon force guarded the gold articles of the Deities.

Adhara Pana Ritual Observed On Chariots At Puri

A day after the Deities of Jagannath Temple dazzled in golden costumes on the occasion of Suna Besha at Puri, they were offered Adhara Pana, a sweet drink, atop Their chariots on Thursday.

As per the tradition, a total of nine barrel-shaped terracotta urns containing the beverage were broken on the chariots in a bid to offer the drink to the divine embodiments (parswa devtas or Rath Rakshyaks) and liberate other invisible powers or spirits.

"The refreshment is meant for only for the side gods and goddesses, who accompanied the sibling Deities to Gundicha Temple during Rath Yatra and guarded the Deities on the chariots. Later, the offered drink is spilled over the chariots by breaking the pots so that the invisible spirits too get the divine drink," said Shyamsundar Mohapatra, a servitor.

The sweet drink, made of milk, cheese, sugar and spices is kept in the urns, which almost touch the lips of the Deities. "Suar Mahasuara servitors prepare the drinks on each chariot. At the time of offering Adhara Pana, Bhitarachha, Taluchha and Palia Puspalaka hold a new cloth (in horizontal way) in front of the Deities. Pani Apata servitors collectively bring hundred pots of water from a well (near Lion's gate) and pour it in a big brass container (handa) which is kept there on the chariots," said researcher Bhaskar Mishra.

As per the tradition, Bada Odia Matha, Raghava Das Matha and the temple administration supply the pots and ingredients for preparation of the sweet drink.

It is the last overnight stay of the Deities on the chariots in front of the Jagannath Temple. The Deities will be taken inside the temple's sanctum sanctorum on the occasion of Niladri Bije on Friday evening. Niladri Bije is the last leg of Rath Yatra, which started on July 12.

Lord Jagannath, Siblings Back in Holy Abode at Puri

Rath Yatra, which started on July 12, ended on Friday with the Deities back on the bejewelled platform (Ratna Singhasana) in the 12th century shrine, marking Niladri Bije.

As per the schedule, the Mahajan servitors of the temple first took the personalities of Rama, Krishna from the Taladhwaja chariot and Madan Mohan from Nandighosh chariot into the shrine in a ceremonial Pahandi procession. Lord Sudarshana, the divine weapon of Lord Jagannath, was the next to be carried from Devidalana chariot to the temple. Later, Lord Balabhadra, goddess Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were taken inside the shrine from their chariots.

"As per tradition, as Lord Jagannath approached Jaya Vijaya door near the sanctum sanctorum, goddess Lakshmi obstructed Him and exhibited her anger. Goddess Laxmi was livid as the sibling Deities did not take the goddess with them on the chariots to Gundicha Temple on their annual sojourn," Jogendra Dasmohapatra, a senior servitor said.

Stranded outside, Lord Jagannath offered Rasagola to Goddess Lakshmi to pacify her. Finally, Goddess Lakshmi softened and allowed Shree Jagannath to enter the temple.

"From Rath Yatra till Niladri Bije, all rituals were performed and completed before schedule in a smooth and disciplined manner. The credit goes to the servitors," Shree Jagannath Temple Administration's chief administrator Krishan Kumar said.

The district administration and Puri police heaved a sigh of relief as they conducted the Rath Yatra festival by successfully ensuring compliance of the Covid-19 safety protocols for the second year in a row. Devotees were banned from taking part in the festival, hotels were vacated, and entry points of Puri were sealed to prevent public congregation.

"It was a big challenge to ensure strict adherence to the Covid precautions, enforcement of curfew during the festival and keep the devotees away from the Grand Road and Puri. We are happy that the devotees, especially the residents of Puri, extended wholehearted cooperation," Puri District Collector Samarth Verma said.

Puri SP, Kanwar Vishal Singh also gave a big shout-out to the people of Puri for their patience, self-restraint and discipline. "We would not have succeeded without the support and cooperation of the devotees and locals from Puri. Our personnel of all ranks too gave their best to make Rath Yatra peaceful," Singh said.