Puri MLA Proposes Live Telecast Of Lord Jagannath’s ‘Nagarjuna Besha’

Puri: With devotees being deprived of Nagarjuna Besha of the Lords this year due to COVID-19 protocol, BJP leader and Puri MLA Jayant Sarangi has proposed live telecast of the rare attire from the Jagannath Temple.

Talking to mediapersons on Thursday, Sarangi said that the temple managing committee had sought the opinion of the Jagatguru Shankaracharya and the Gajapati Maharaja on the reopening of the temple for the devotees for the Nagarjuna Besha, which is being held after a gap of 26 years.

“The state government acts as per the decision taken by the temple managing committee. As the decision has been taken by the managing committee, I should not give any opinion on this matter as there is no time left for further discussion,” Sarangi said.

He, however, said that the restriction imposed by the temple administration has deeply hurt the religious sentiments of the devotees. “They are of the opinion that there is no meaning in draping the sibling deities in the warrior attire with only the sevayats being allowed to have the darshan,” he added.