Puri: Servitors of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Thursday adorned the sibling deities, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra in Radha Damodar Besha as the month-long holy Kartik rituals began at Srimandir in Puri from today.
The Radhadamodar Besha of Lord Jagannath was conducted following Abakasha and Sakala Dhupa rituals inside the temple.
This Besha is observed from Aswina Sukla Ekadasi tithi (the 11th day of the bright fortnight in Aswina) to Kartika Sukla Dasami tithi (the 10th day of the bright fortnight in Kartika).
Lord Jagannath was bedecked as Damodara with the attire of lord Krishna in the noon after the daily common rituals like Prabhata abakasa ritual, Sakala dhupa rituals and Mangala alati rituals.
At the same time, Radha was adorned as Rai after due permission from goddess Laxmi. During this period, the Lords are offered Bala Bhoga.
The month of Kartika is also known as the Radha Damodara Masa-month, dedicated to the amorous Rasa Leela of Radha and Krishna. Damodara is another name for Shri Krishna.
The same attire will continue till the end of Karthika as the habisialies worship Jagannath as Krishana-Damodara from today. It will be concluded on the full moon day of the Kartika.
