The 'Nagarjuna Besha' ritual pertaining to Lord Jagannath and his siblings were held on Friday at the Jagannath temple after a long gap of 26 years. The ritual was held in the absence of devotees amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was last observed way back in November 1994.
The Nagarjuna Besha ritual occurs only in the years where the ‘Panchuka’, the last five days of the holy month of Kartika (Lunar Calendar), is observed for six days.
At the rituals only servitors and temple officials were present.
The deities at the Jagannath temple were dressed up as warriors in golden attire and adorned with 16 traditional weapons and armours including Trishul (trident), Hala (plough), Chakra (wheel), Musala (mace), arrows and bows to celebrate the slaying of Shahasrajuna by Parasurama.
Puri District Collector Balwant Singh, "With the blessings of Lord Jagannath, the rituals were held for Nagarjuna Besha. It was performed with the support of servitors and others as well.”
As per the calendar, the Dwara Phita ritual was held at 2.45 am on Friday which was followed by Bhitara Sodha, Mangala Alati, Mailam, Tadapalagi, Naga Besha and Abakasha Niti.
All these rituals were concluded according to the Hindu calendar by 4,30 am.
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The Puri administration has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in parts of the city to prevent the crowding of people in front of the temple and The 25 platoons of police have also been deployed.
The temple sources said that the Nagarjuna Besha ritual celebrates the killing of Kartyavera Arjuna, one of the main kings slain by Lord Parshuram.