Sibling Deities Shine in Nabajoubana Besha Ahead of Rath Yatra

Puri, Odisha: After 14 days of ritual rest in the Anasara Ghara, the sibling deities — Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra — are set to unveil their Nabajoubana Besha today.

This sacred adornment marks their rejuvenation and youthful splendour before the grand Rath Yatra.

The Besha involves elaborate decoration with cotton and silk garments, gold ornaments, flowers, sandalwood paste, camphor, and musk.

A highlight of the ritual is the Banakalagi (Srikumkha Sringara), where the deities are repainted using natural herbal pigments such as saffron, musk, and wood apple gum, guided by ancient palm‑leaf manuscripts.

The most revered moment, the Netra Utsav, restores the divine consciousness of the deities as their eyes are repainted, symbolising renewed vitality.

Thousands of devotees throng Puri to witness this spectacle, which serves as a spiritual prelude to the world‑famous Rath Yatra.

For devotees, the Nabajoubana Besha is not just a ritual but a profound moment of connection, symbolising hope, energy, and blessings for the year ahead.