[Watch] Odisha Artist Creates Sand Animation On ‘Nagarjuna Besha’

Puri: Ahead of Nagarjuna Besha of the Lords at Puri Jagannath Temple, artist Manas Kumar Sahoo has made a 3.30-minute sand animation of the ceremony being held after a gap of 26 years.

Through this film, Manas has portrayed every moment of the rare ceremony, which was last held in 1994

It shows how the sevayats decorate the sibling deities with 16 types of weapons like Banka Chhuri, Katari, Trishula, Ranjaka Dani and Singha, Bagha Nakha, Kaliki Phula, and Surjyachandra.

It took him 24 hours to make this short film.

This Besha is observed during the Hindu month of Kartik when the Panchuka (last five days of Kartik month) is observed as six days.

Unfortunately, devotees will not be able to witness the ritual this year due to COVID-19 protocols.