Basunga Pat: The Sacred Silk Thread Reserved Solely for Lord Jagannath’s Rituals

(OT Webdesk)In the heart of Odisha’s spiritual heritage, the Jagannath Temple in Puri preserves a unique tradition—using “Basunga Pat,” a sacred silk thread, exclusively for divine rituals.

Unlike commercial silk, Basunga Pat is crafted from mulberry silk cocoons and dyed with natural Kaitha bark, making it unsuitable for fabric production or market use.

Produced by tribal silk farmers in Gajapati district and processed in Nuapatna, Cuttack, this thread is integral to rituals like Debasnana Purnima, Rath Yatra, and Rakhi Purnima.

It adorns the deities—Jagannath, Balabhadra, Subhadra, and Sudarshan—in forms such as Vijay Dora, Rakhi, and Mukut.

Every year, over 300 kg of Basunga Pat is sent to the temple, following a quality inspection by a dedicated team.

Its exclusive use in temple rituals underscores its sacred status, ensuring that Lord Jagannath’s divine presence remains untouched by commercial influence.