Puri, Jun 11: After the completion of bathing ritual, the Holy Trinity adorn the Hati Besha (Elephant Attire). Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra are adorned in the Hati Besha or Gajanana Besha, while Devi Subhadra appears in Padma Besha (Lotus attire).

The sacred transformation is carried out by specific servitors, including Palia Puspalaka, Khuntia, Mekap, and Daitapati, following an age-old tradition.

A fascinating legend associated with Hati Besha dates back to the 15th century.

Pandit Ganapati Bhatt, a devoted follower of Lord Ganesha from the Mahaganapatya community, visited the Jagannath Temple on Snana Purnima, hoping for darshan of Lord Jagannath. However, he deeply wished to see Lord Ganesha’s presence within Jagannath, and failing to do so, he left the temple disappointed.

As he made his way back, he was unexpectedly stopped by a priest—who was none other than Lord Jagannath himself in disguise. The divine presence urged Bhatt to return to the temple, assuring him that he would witness Lord Ganesha. Upon his return, Bhatt was overwhelmed with joy, witnessing Lord Jagannath in the form of Ganesha, fulfilling his wish. From that moment onwards, the Hati Besha ritual became an integral part of Snana Purnima, continuing to bless devotees with a glimpse of divinity in multiple forms.

Here’s why the Holy Trinity is adorned in this unique form:
- Symbolic Connection to Lord Ganesha – The elephant attire represents Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. According to legend, a devotee named Pandit Ganapati Bhatt, a follower of Lord Ganesha, visited Puri but was disappointed not to see his deity. Miraculously, Lord Jagannath appeared in the form of Ganesha, leading to the tradition of dressing the deities in Hati Besha.
- Spiritual Renewal After the Bath – After being bathed with 108 pitchers of sanctified water, the deities are believed to experience a ritualistic fever. The Hati Besha is said to protect them during their 15-day isolation period (Anasara), symbolizing recovery and divine transformation.
- Ancient Rituals & Devotional Significance – The tradition is mentioned in Skanda Purana, where King Indradyumna, the founder of the Jagannath Temple, first bathed the deities and adorned them in special attire. The Hati Besha is prepared by artisans from Raghaba Das Mutt and Gopal Tirtha Mutt, continuing an age-old practice.
- A Unique Darshan for Devotees – During Snana Purnima, devotees get a rare glimpse of the deities in their Gajanana (Elephant) form, which is believed to bring blessings and prosperity. This special attire reinforces the idea that Jagannath embodies all forms of divinity, connecting with different sects and beliefs.

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