Mobilenews 24×7 Bureau
The deities of Puri are more known as the living phenomenons and popular for the rituals which goes round the year. Come winter, a new ritual is observed that is the ‘Ghodalagi’ Besha when the three deities don warm clothes to beat the chill.
Ghodalagi means specially designed winter dresses for the deities on Ratna Singhasana inside the sanctum sanctorum.
Three sets of dressers covered the deities with velvet blankets and headgear made of wool and cotton to beat the chill. As per tradition, the colour of the blankets ‘Ghoda’ changes according to the day. As per the temple almanac, each star is identified with a specific colour.
The deities adorn Ghodalagi Besha from (the 5th day of the bright fortnight in Magha). The day from which this Ghodalagi Besha starts, is called Odhana Sasthi (the day of Sasthi when the Lord is covered ). The concluding day of this Besha is Basanta Panchami tithi, the deities wear winter clothes. These are the months of December and January.
Hundreds of devotees witnessed this colourful ‘Ghodalagi’ Besha of the Trinity. However last year, devotees could not catch a glimpse of the Trinity in the winter Besha due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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