Puri, Jan 21: The sacred Jagannath Temple in Puri will witness a rare and captivating ritual today as Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra will be adorned in the divine Padma Besha.


This special attire, created entirely with lotus flowers, symbolizes purity, devotion, and spiritual beauty, making it one of the most cherished adornments in the temple’s calendar.


Temple artisans worked meticulously to prepare the floral decorations, ensuring every detail reflected the grandeur of the ritual.


The Padma Besha is not performed frequently, which adds to its spiritual significance and draws immense interest from devotees.


As the deities will be decked out in lotus blooms, thousands of devotees gathered at the Shreemandir to witness the spectacle. The ritual is considered highly auspicious, believed to bring blessings of prosperity and peace to those who behold it.


Padma Besha continues to be a timeless tradition, highlighting the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Odisha and reinforcing Puri’s status as a center of devotion and faith.


The Padma Besha (Lotus Attire) is a rare and highly auspicious ritual held annually for Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra at the Shrimandir in Puri, Odisha. It is a mesmerizing night-time Bada Shringar (bedtime) adornment that takes place once a year on a Wednesday or Saturday between the Mauni Amavasya and Basanta Panchami of the Magha month (January-February).


Key Aspects of the Padma Besha
Symbolism of Purity: The lotus represents knowledge, meditation, and spiritual growth, symbolizing that true devotion blossoms like a lotus in the heart of a devotee.
The Legend of Manohar Das: The Besha commemorates a 12th-century devotee named Manohar Das from West Bengal. After a long journey, his lotus flowers had dried up, but when he offered them, the Lord was pleased with his devotion and appeared in this attire. To this day, the Bada Chhata Matha supplies the Padma Besha materials.
Intricate Design: The attire is meticulously prepared using sola pith (Indian cork), zari, cane, bamboo, and various fabrics. The deities are adorned with lotus-shaped masks, lotus-petal crowns, lotus-shaped hands, and decorated with swans.
Special Rituals: It is one of the rare occasions where the deities go to sleep in this special attire. The Padma Besha is donned during the Bada Shringar ritual at night and remains until the Mangala Alati the following morning.
Offerings: A special type of pudding called Padma Kheer, made from lotus petals, rice, and milk, is offered to the deities on this day.


Also read: Bada Mahasnana In Puri Shreemandir After Avakash Niti, Temple Closed


The Ritual and Appearance
Preparation: The artisans (tailors and painters) of the Bada Chhata Matha start preparing the attire from Pandu Purnima, observing strict discipline.
Appearance: The deities are adorned with lotus flowers (both real and crafted from sola) on their heads and arms. They hold lotus buds in their hands.
Darshan: Thousands of devotees wait to see this rare, beautiful, and fragrant attire, which signifies the start of the spring season.
This Besha is a profound reminder that Lord Jagannath is Bhava-grahi (one who accepts the emotion/devotion) and is attracted only by pure, loving devotion, regardless of the material offering.