Puri deities dazzle in gold

PURI: Gun-toting police personnel formed multi-layered security cover around the three chariots today as the Puri Trinity - Lord Jagannath, Devi Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra - was decked in gold as part of the `Sunavesha' ritual.


As per the tradition, after arrival of the three chariots at the 'Singhadwara' of the main temple the deities are dressed in pure gold and ornaments studded with rare jewels. While Sunavesha is observed five times in a year this is the lone occasion when the devotees get to have a glimpse of the Gods in gold.

Three separate teams of servitors, belonging to each deity, drew ornaments, weighing 100 kg, from the temple treasury and carried them to the raths where it was handed over to the three special sets of servitors. The process began at about 3 pm and was over by 5 pm.

The deities were adorned with objects resembling giant human limbs like the feet and hands besides weapons of the deities like mace, Chakra and insignias _ lotus and conch. The other decorations included giant diadems, kundalas and chest guards besides necklaces and garlands studded with rare jewels. All these were, however, returned to the temple treasury after the 'Sunavesha' was over.

Of the seven concealed ornament compartments in the temple treasury only one was opened till now. This lone compartment contains 367 items made of four quintals of gold and silver ornaments weighing 14 quintals. As many as 251 items find mention in the official inventory conducted in 1978. These apart, platinum ornaments studded with diamond, emerald, ruby and other precious stones of rare quality and size are used on special occasions.

Over 12 lakh devotees thronged this small town to witness the glittering function, throwing traffic haywire. The residents were put to immense difficulties as police closed almost all roads leading to the Grand Road from morning. There were traffic jams along various routes leading to the Holy City. Devotees waited for hours to join the queue.

Besides the security personnel, security cameras were scanning the crowd while an unspecified number of plainclothes police and intelligence personnel were pressed into service along with bomb detection and disposal squads.


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