Odisha Police Issues Alert for Devotees Ahead of Suna Besha Rituals in Puri

PURI, July 6: With lakhs of devotees thronging Puri to witness the grand ‘Suna Besha’ (golden attire) of Lord Jagannath and his siblings—Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra—Odisha Police has issued a public alert to ensure smooth crowd and traffic management in the coastal pilgrim town.

In a statement released early Sunday morning, the Odisha Police informed that Puri city is witnessing a massive influx of devotees since Saturday night. With most parking spaces already nearing full capacity, vehicles are being systematically redirected to alternative parking areas in Talabania and Sterling depending on real-time availability.

“Suna Besha Yatra Alert, 7 AM. Due to a large number of devotees arriving in Puri throughout the night to have darshan of Mahaprabhu, the parking spaces in the city are almost fully occupied. Vehicles are being directed towards Talabania and Sterling based on the availability of parking spaces. Waiting times at Batagaon/Malatipatpur may be longer,” the police stated in an official post on X (formerly Twitter).

The Suna Besha, which takes place a day after the Bahuda Yatra (Return Car Festival), is a significant ritual where the sibling deities, still seated on their respective chariots outside the Srimandir, are adorned with gold ornaments. The spectacular sight draws devotees from across India and abroad, often resulting in one of the largest gatherings during the nine-day Rath Yatra festival.

Odisha Police has deployed additional forces and set up temporary control posts for effective crowd regulation and emergency response. Devotees have been requested to plan their visit wisely, follow instructions from security personnel, and cooperate with traffic regulations to avoid congestion or delays.

Authorities have also advised the elderly, women, and children to take necessary precautions given the dense crowd and rising temperatures.

Meanwhile, live telecast and digital streaming of the event have been arranged by the temple administration and state government to allow devotees who cannot be physically present to witness the divine spectacle.

With spiritual fervour running high and elaborate security measures in place, Puri gears up to host yet another majestic glimpse of Lord Jagannath in his resplendent golden attire—a divine moment awaited by millions every year.