Puri: Covid shadow might have snatched the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for devotees to witness the rare Nagarjuna Besha of the Lord Jagannath scheduled to be held later this month in Puri, but in a good news for the followers of the Mahaprabhu across the world, the Holy Trinity is likely to don the special avatar once again next year.
Jagannath culture expert and senior servitor Sarat Mohanty informed that even though preparations are on full swing ahead of the Nagarjuna Besha in a few weeks time, no devotees will be allowed to have darshan of the deities in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“But in a sigh of relief to the devotees, the astrologers have predicted that the deities will don the rare outfit again on November 15, 2021,” Mohanty said.
According to Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee official, as the Panchuka, the last five days of the holy Kartik month will be again observed for six days in the next year, the Lords will put on the spectacle besha. However, the date can only be finalised after the publication of 2021 ‘panjika’ (ritual calendar).
The Nagarjuna Besha of the deities was last held in 1994 and will once again be held on November 27 this year. As per tradition, the deities will be dressed like warriors with golden attire and several weapons including arrows, bows, Hala (plough), Chakra (wheel) and Musala (mace).
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)