Sibling deities of Puri temple to don warrior form after 26 years

BHUBANESWAR: Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) in Puri has begun preparations to host the 21st century’s first ‘nagarjuna besha’ at the shrine on November 27. The ‘nagarjuna besha’ will see deities Jagannath and Balabhadra take on the form of warriors.
Although the sibling deities of the Jagannath Temple, which includes goddess Subhadra, present themselves to devotees in different forms or ‘beshas’ at different times of the year, the ‘nagarjuna besha’ is special since it occurs once in several years. This time, the occasion will be observed after 26 years. ‘Nagarjuna besha’, which was last observed on November 16, 1994, commemorates the killing of Sahashrarjuna by Parsuram, sources in the Puri temple said. It is observed in those years where the ‘panchaka’, the last five days of the holy month of Kartika, is observed for six days. This year, which saw an extra month after the month of Ashwina, will thus see ‘nagarjuna besha’ being held on November 27, the sixth day of ‘panchaka’. Before 1994, ‘nagarjuna besha’ had been observed on November 26, 1993, November 3, 1968, November 16, 1967, and November 26, 1966. At least six pilgrims had died following a stampede during the 1993 event.
On Monday, the shrine administration conducted a ceremony to mark the start of preparations for the festival.
Khuntia said he would use Thermocol, cloth, zari and bamboo sticks to prepare the costumes. “I have engaged around 10 other artisans to assist me. We will prepare various weapons, including knives and shields, for the deities. They will wear elaborate headgear and hold arrows, bows, plough, wheel and mace. The work will end before November 27. The costumes will reach the temple office in a procession from our workplace near my home,” he said.
Since the shrine has been shut since March, devotees will not be allowed to take part in the ritual this time. “I was blessed to have caught a glimpse of the gods in ‘nagarjuna besha’ in 1994. The temple was packed,” said Rajat Pati (65), a resident of Puri.
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