Nagarjuna Besha of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Subhadra to be held on 27th Nov 2020 after 25 Years
In the Odia language the word Besha means attire for specific occasion or festival. There are two types of Beshas that are observed in Puri Dham for the dieties 1. Daily Beshas 2. Beshas during particular occasion or festivals.
The Month of Karthika is very auspicious of all the months in the Hindu Lunar Calender. In this month when Shukla Mala Tithi falls, and Panchaka (the last five days of Karthika month) is marked as six days, Lord Jagannath and Lord Bala Bhadra are dressed like warriors and are decorated with various weapons like, Bow, Arrows, Plough or Hala, Wheel or Chakra, Mace or Musala this is known as Nagarjuna Besha.
After 25 long years (in the year1994 last Nagarjuna Besha was observed) this will be the first time that the Nagrjuna Besha of the Deities will be held in Puri Dham. The preparations for the occasion take place at Harachandi Sahi, in Puri.
This is the auspicious day on which Sahashrarjuna was killed by Parashuram or the battle between Arjuna and his son Nagarjuna. According to a legend on a specific day Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra go out for hunting to destroy the evil, and the victory of good prevails. Thus Nagarjuna Besha is also known as Bira Besha and Parasurama Besha. So, during this time Dieties are dressed like warriors and can be seen holding various kinds of weapons made of Gold and their hands and legs are also covered in Gold.
Thus Nagarjuna Besha is a celebration of Good over the evil. Due to the current pandemic it is not possible to visit the Lord but we can always imagine his divine form in our hearts and pray to him that may that which is Good always prevail and rule the world. Jai Jagannath.
