Puri: Notwithstanding the fact that unique rituals are core to Srimandir tradition, some of these rituals have not been performed at the 12th century shrine for the last several decades. Raghunath Besha of Lord Jagannath is one such ritual which was last performed April 26, 1905.
Many researchers and scholars are of the opinion that Raghunath Besha is the most unique ritual of Srimandir. “Raghunath Besha of Lord Jagannath was performed nine times at Srimandir. The unique ritual was performed in 1577, 1739, 1809, 1833, 1842, 1850, 1893, 1896 and 1905. The temple authorities had started performing Raghunath Besha ritual at the behest of Ramanandacharya,” said researcher Naresh Chandra Dash.
According to researchers, Raghunath Besha is performed at Srimandir in the Hindu month of Baishakha to mark the coronation of Lord Ram as the king of Ayodhya in Tretaya Yuga. “Raghunath Besha is not an annual ritual at Srimandir. The ritual was performed once in several years by taking into account the position and movement of stars on Ram Navami, the birthday of Lord Ram. The unique ritual has not been performed at Srimandir since 1905 even though there were several suitable occasions for its conduct,” Dash claimed.
As per tradition, Lord Jagannath and his elder brother are decked up as Lord Ram and Laxman respectively for Raghunath Besha. This apart, the idols of several mythological characters including Bharat, Shatrughna, Brahma, Vashistha, Angada, Jambavan, Hanuman, Nala, Neela, Sugriva and Sushena are placed at the sanctum sanctorum for performance of the ritual.
“Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra are adorned with huge amounts of gold ornaments as part of the unique ritual. The entire area from the sanctum sanctorum of Srimandir to the Kalahata gate of the shrine resembles the court of Lord Ram, the king of Ayodhya,” Dash said.
It is said that large number of devotees from across the country visit Puri to witness Raghunath Besha. So, the temple authorities will find it extremely difficult to manage the crowds at Srimandir if Raghunath Besha is held in near future, said a local.
“Crowd management will be the biggest issue if at all the unique ritual is held in future. The temple authorities and the state government perhaps do not want to take any risk by organising Raghunath Besha at Srimandir,” said a devotee.
However, some devotees blamed lack of administrative as well as political will for non-performance of Raghunath Besha of the deities. “Recently, the foundation stone was laid for a grand Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. We all are happy for the historic occasion. But, no one has shown any interest to hold Raghunath Besha ritual at Srimandir,” rued devotee Dillip Baral.
Heritage expert Surendra Mishra said the state government and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) can take steps to perform the rare ritual post-Covid-19 pandemic. “It is not an impossible task. All we need is administrative will. Successful organisation of Raghunath Besha will bring laurels to Odisha,” Mishra argued.
SJTA administrator (rituals) Jitendra Kumar Sahu said the temple administration has not held any discussion on holding Raghunath Besha. “This unique ritual has not been performed for over a hundred years,” he added.
