Bhubaneswar, August 6, 2013: Tourists in Bhubaneswar would soon get a feel of various beshas (attires) of the presiding sibling deities of Jagannath Temple in Puri.

The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is planning to the set up a gallery here to display various attires of the deities. "We will try to construct the gallery close to the Jagannath Temple Information Centre at Jayadev Bhawan. Giant photo frames of the "beshas" would be created to attract pilgrims, mostly non-Hindus, who cannot enter the Jagannath Temple," temple administrator (development) Prasanna Kumar Hota told TOI.

The deities have nearly 25 "beshas" for special occasions throughout the year. "Chandan Besha, Hati Besha" and "Naba Jouban Besha", among others draw the maximum crowd. "There are particular sections of servitors, who know the traditional ways of dressing and decorations of the deities. The gods are decked up with flowers, leaves, silken fabrics and gold ornaments. Sandalwood paste, musk and camphor are also adequately used," said Jogendra Dasmohapatra, a priest.

"Since many devotees are unaware of the beshas, the proposed gallery would serve as learning centre for them," said Suryanarayan Rathsarma, a senior Jagannath researcher. Under the banner of Biswa Jagannath Chetana, Rathsarma has been organizing exhibitions on the "beshas" of Jagannath temple at different places in Odisha. "I organised a seminar-cum-exhibition at Bhubaneswar a few years ago. There was a huge response," said Rathsarma.

A few days ago, the SJTA installed a giant electronic display board at the information kiosk of Jayadev Bhawan for dissemination of information relating to Jagannath temple and its rituals. Within a month, the temple plans to start supply of mahaprasad of Puri temple in Bhubaneswar. The Jayadev Bhawan information centre would receive orders from people in advance. A vehicle would carry the mahaprasad from Puri.

Source: The Times of India, August 6, 2013