Tahiya Lagi Besha
The Tahiya Lagi Besha is performed during the Rath Yatra festival. Tahiya is a floral crown, shaped like a betel life. It is worn by Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra during Snana Purnima, Rath Yatra, Bahuda Yatra and Niladri Bije. It is made with bamboo sticks, cane, solapith and flowers. The crafting of Tahiya begins on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya by skilled artisans at Raghaba Das Matha. Tahiya is the only ornament worn by the deities during Pahandi (when taken from Srimandira to their respective Ratha and vice versa). The size of Tahiya is different for different deities. According to the legend, Raghu Arakhita, a devotee of Lord Jagannath was meditating in scorching heat near Singhadwara of Srimandira. Lord Jagannath appeared in disguise and stood with an umbrella to save him from sun rays. Seeing this, the elated devotee promised Lord Jagannath to provide Tahiya for the deities during Rath Yatra.
