Puri: In view of the Covid-19 pandemic situation, the district administration in Puri on Wednesday urged the outstation devotees not to enter the town on the occasion of Nagarjuna Besha, to be observed on November 27.
As per the earlier announcement made by the Srimandir Temple Administration (STA), the rare attire of the Trinity (Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra), which was last observed in 1994, will be conducted this year without the participation of devotees.
The administration will allow entry of only duty-bound servitors and officials into the shrine for the smooth conduct of the rituals. Even devotees in Puri will not be allowed to witness the rare Besha (dress up) wherein the deities will don the costume of the Naga warriors.
“Devotees (from Puri town) will only be allowed the darshan of Lord Patitapaban in a queue while maintaining proper social distancing and wearing masks. A three-tier security cordon will be put up around the temple,” said Puri Sub-Collector Bhabatarana Sahu.
Sources said the district administration has clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC outside the temple precincts and the Grand Road in Puri to prevent congregation of devotees on November 27.
“Devotees (from Puri town) will be allowed to use the pedestrian path only--from Marichakota to Kakudikhai Chhaka-- for a darshan of Lord Patitapabana. To avoid congregation near the temple, Mahaprasada will be provided at the Jagannath Ballav Math,” added Sahu.
According to the temple sources, the occasion will be observed this time after 26 years. Nagarjuna Besha, which was last observed on November 16, 1994, commemorates the killing of Sahashrarjuna by Lord Parsuram. It is observed in the years when ‘Panchaka’, the last five days of the holy month of Kartika, is observed for six days.
Read more:
Nagarjuna Besha: Preparation Of Costumes For Holy Trinity In Full Swing In Puri