Nagarjuna Besa Of Shree Jagannath

Nagarjuna Besa One of the Important Besa among all 32 Besas of Shree Jagannath. Nagarjuna Besa is also called as Bira Besa & Parashuram Besa.

In the local Odia language, 'Besa' or 'Vesha' means 'Costume' or 'Dress' or 'Makeup'. There are two types of Besas observed for the deities in the Jagannath temple of Puri, Daily Besas and Besas during festive occasions. During the celebration of different festivals, the deities put on different types of ceremonial costumes according to the custom of the festival. Nagarjuna Besa is not a daily Besa but is observed during the festive occasion in the Kartika month.

When does Nagarjuna Besa happen!

This Besa is occasionally done in the month of Kartika (Oct-Nov) when Panchuka (last five days of Kartika month) observed as six days instead of five.

In detail, if there will be two Dwadashi tithis (2 Days), it is considered as one tithi (Day). First  Dwadashi morning considers as Suddha tithi (Day) and Second Dwadashi morning is mala tithi. Nagarjuna Besa happens on Dwadashi mala tithi.

Speciality of Nagarjuna Besa

The lords are dressed like warriors in Nagarjuna Besa. As per custom, Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balabhadra are decorated with golden hands, Legs bids, and several weapons (16 different weapons made up of Gold)  including arrows, bows, Chakra (wheel), Hala (plough),  and Musala (mace) during Nagarjuna Besa. 

Why does Nagarjuna Besa happen?

As per mythological information, this Besa of Shree Jagannath, Shree Balabhadra, and Maa Subhadra is celebrated in commemoration of the killing of Sahashrarjuna by Parsuram or the battle between Arjuna and his son Nagarjuna.

When was the last time Nagarjuna Besa happened in the recent past?

The lords are dressed like warriors. In the recent past, this Besa was done on 16.11.1994. The previous four dates were 26.11.1993, 3.11.1968, 16.11.1967, and 26.11.1966.